Prime Time Coaching for Jackson State University

On Sunday September 20, Deion Sanders, NFL Hall of Famer, announced that he would be the next head football coach for the Jackson State University (JSU) Tigers. This is just another step in the football life of one of the greatest players to ever play the game of football, and this goes way past him just gaining a head coaching job. Deion was presented with a chance to bring some light to historically black college universities (HBCUs), and took it. It is very nice to see that a man who went through almost every phase of being star in this country is now giving knowledge back to young men who are in the position he was. 

Deion Sanders, also known as ‘Neon Deion’, or ‘Prime Time’, is arguably the best player to ever touch a football field. With his main position being a cornerback, he made himself to be known as one of the best to ever play that position while also being used as a punt returner on special teams, and occasionally a wide receiver on offense. Something people of today tend to forget about Sanders was that he was a very popular athlete. Everything he did looked cool, from his bandana he wore under his helmet to the stylish way he scored touchdowns or caught interceptions. His unbelievable athleticism matched with his cool exterior made him a superstar. For every football fan born around late 90s to 2000s, we know Sanders for the TV personality on NFL network observing, commentating, and making jokes with his co-hosts. So, to see Sanders complete the puzzle like only a select amount of people were able to do is wonderful. What is more wonderful, is that it wasn’t for any inadequate reason that Sanders took this job at Jackson State.

Sanders, in his first speech as the JSU head football coach, states that the tears he shed briefly on stage were “to establish how proud he is to stand before [his] people,” and he acknowledged that “God led [him]” to this position. In his speech, Sanders expressed his desire to take the program to the next level. Not just JSU football, but JSU academics, and the community that surrounds the school. He states “I believe that all the people you know with a child that has a D1 potential can now choose Jackson State.” Accepting this job showed great courage, responsibility, and exactly what the job is asking for, leadership ability. With his name alone, Sanders probably could have chosen any school, but he chose Jackson MS, to coach, be a role model to, and be a community leader to. This sets up the next legendary black person to go out of the norm and choose to set up shop at an HBCU as a coach or professor. High school graduates who possibly already made a name for themselves can look at this and say they will go to an HBCU as opposed to taking the traditional route others in front of them took.

This is a great decision made by an individual who never fails be a role model, whether we were watching him on Sundays play on the football field, throughout the week giving his opinions about the NFL, or as a coach for high school football teams. I believe in everything that Sanders wants to happen throughout his time with JSU, and I am sure we all are praying they come true.