Delaware State University is reportedly on the verge of appointing DeSean Jackson, a former standout wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, as its next head football coach. ESPN first broke the news, indicating that Jackson recently completed an on-campus interview, and an official agreement between the two parties is expected soon.
While Jackson does not have prior head coaching experience, his impressive playing career has made a significant impact. He played for the Eagles from 2008 to 2013 and again from 2019 to 2020. His performance places him eighth in the franchise’s history for receiving yards, totaling 6,897, and sixth for receptions with 379.
In 2014, Jackson was controversially released by the Eagles after a standout season where he recorded 82 receptions for 1,332 yards. Following that season, he joined the Washington Football Team, where he had two seasons surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. Over his career, Jackson also had stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens, with his final season taking place in 2022. Most recently, he served as the wide receivers coach and punt return specialist at Woodrow Wilson High School in California.
This potential hiring comes after Delaware State’s departure from head coach Lee Hull, who led the Hornets to a disappointing record of 2-21 overall and 0-10 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference over the last two seasons. Moreover, during this transition, the university also announced Tony Tucker would step in as the new athletic director.
Should Jackson officially take the helm, he would join former Eagles teammate Michael Vick, who was recently named head coach at Norfolk State, another institution within the MEAC.
This prospective move represents an exciting opportunity for Jackson, allowing him to transition from player to coach while bringing his NFL experience and insight to a collegiate program striving for improvement. His hiring could inspire both players and fans, fostering optimism about the future of Delaware State football.