With an elaborate introduction fit for a king which included the media, faculty, students and the Sonic Boom, the Jackson State University (JSU) Tigers on Monday, September 21st announced that National Football League (NFL) legend, Deion ‘Prime Time’ Sanders, will be their new Head Football Coach.
Sanders, 53, a 2011 NFL Hall of Famer, 8 time Pro Bowler and 2 time Super Bowl winner stated, “God called me to Jackson State.” Sanders replaces John Hendrick, who managed a sub-par record at JSU with a 6-9 win-loss record and 5-5 win-loss conference record from 2018 to 2019. The Tigers hadn’t had a winning season since 2013.
Although Sanders doesn’t have any collegiate head coaching experience, he has a plethora of football knowledge. Currently he is the Offensive Coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas where they have won three consecutive state championships. Sanders will begin preparations for Jackson State’s upcoming season once he has finished his contractual obligations with the school. Due to Covid-19, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has moved the football season to the Spring which gives Sanders some time to recruit players and hire his coaching staff. Ashley Robinson, Athletic Director at Jackson State, stated, “The hiring of Coach Prime is very big for Jackson State University and the state of Mississippi.”
Sanders’ head coaching debut will be Sunday, February 21, 2021 against the Edward Waters Tigers at 1:00 pm at Mississippi Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.