DeSean Jackson’s introduction as Delaware State’s head football coach on Wednesday afternoon felt like a homecoming.
On the school’s campus in Dover, Del., the former Eagles wide receiver opened his remarks by acknowledging the opportunity to have his first foray into college coaching arrive at a Historically Black College or University.
His ultimate goal? For players on his team to leave the program with a four-year degree.
“I stand here today humbled and ready to embrace the responsibility of developing our student-athletes,” Jackson told the crowd. “My commitment is to instill in them the value of hard work, discipline, and pride as they represent this prestigious university.”
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Jackson recalled two phone calls he received about two weeks ago. The three-time Pro Bowler was asked if he would be interested in coaching college football. He was hesitant at first. Jackson, 38, was hired in April by Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif., as its wide receivers coach and punt return specialist.
It was his first involvement in the coaching scene, and he helped the team to a state title appearance this past season. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to move on just yet. But an hour later, he received another call from Woodrow Wilson coach Travis Clark, a longtime friend and mentor of his.
“He asked, ‘D, what do you think about coaching college football?’” Jackson said.
Clark continued to tell Jackson that if he wanted to make an impact as a coach, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. So Jackson told Clark to pack his bags if he got the job at Delaware State because he’d be joining him on the Hornets’ staff.
Last week, Clark announced that he’ll serve as Delaware State’s assistant head coach and safeties coach.
“What we are going to instill in y’all is greatness and hard work,” Jackson said, looking to his players in the front row. “We ain’t accepting nothing else, and we’re not rebuilding. We don’t [have] time to play, and we don’t [have] time to waste. We’re doing it right now.”
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The Hornets, who compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, went 1-11 this past season. Delaware State parted ways with former coach Lee Hull after two seasons. The Vineland, N.J., native finished with an overall record of 2-21.
Jackson, who spent 15 seasons in the NFL and was drafted by the Eagles in 2008, said he’ll use his professional experience to guide the next generation and that he understands university culture. He was an All-American at California, and his mother attended Duquesne, while his father attended Bethune-Cookman, an HBCU in Daytona Beach, Fla.
“My mother and father grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so the roots are right here,” Jackson said. “I have a lot of family here, and this is home to me.”
Regarding the recruiting landscape, Jackson noted wanting to “put a gate around Delaware.”
He’s aware that recruiting has changed since he played college ball. Part of his vision is keeping local talent home and recruiting in Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore — areas he has become familiar with through his time in the NFL.
“Nowadays, with the transfer portal and all this recruiting stuff, things are crazy,” Jackson said. “But there’s a lot of guys [who] are getting overlooked, so I want to make sure we don’t overlook the guys we could give an opportunity.”
Jackson, a Los Angeles native, played eight seasons in Philadelphia. He acknowledged that Andy Reid was one of the best coaches he’d come across and that he understood family and principles. Jackson hopes to instill similar values in the Hornets.
After stints with Washington and Tampa Bay, Jackson, who became the first player in NFL history to earn Pro Bowl honors at two positions (wide receiver and kick returner), returned to the Eagles via trade in 2019.
He split 2021 with the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders and finished his career in 2022 with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2023, he announced his retirement as a member of the Eagles. Jackson ranks third all-time on the Eagles in receiving yards (6,512) and sixth in receptions (379).
Next year, Jackson will meet his former Eagles teammate, Michael Vick, on the gridiron, as Vick was hired as Norfolk State’s head coach in December. Jackson hopes to reach the Celebration Bowl, the annual matchup between the top two teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the MEAC.
“We ain’t waiting. We want to win the MEAC this year,” Jackson said. “The facts are the facts, two wins in the past two years. Whatever was going on, we can’t do that. We’ve got to move forward, and we’re going to change that first and foremost.”
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