Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson has been hired as the new football coach at Delaware State, the school announced Friday.
As ESPN reports, Jackson is thrilled at the new opportunity he calls “once-in -a-lifetime.”
“HBCUs have much to be proud of in creating a more representative America,” Jackson said. “But that story is not simply a historical one. It continues to be written and includes the elevation of HBCU scholars and scholar athletes in every field of human endeavor.”
“The opportunity for me to help write another chapter here at DSU is a once-in-a-lifetime moment consistent with my journey as a young boy finding his way to manhood through mentorship, accountability, achievement, and discipline,” Jackson said in a statement. “If we build that kind of culture at Delaware State University, we will attract the right talent and radically change the trajectory of this program. I cannot wait to get started.”
Jackson is the second former NFL star to be hired at a MEAC school this month, joining Michael Vick at Norfolk State.
Jackson will be introduced in a news conference Jan. 8. He is the first hire by athletic director Tony Tucker, who took over the role earlier this month.
“DeSean Jackson is a perfect fit for our institution — incredibly competitive, optimistic about the prospects for our collective future, and focused on the fundamentals of the institution: STUDENTS FIRST,” Tucker said in a statement.
Jackson, 38, was a three-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2010, 2013) and a Second-team All-Pro (2009) during his 15-year NFL career. The former University of California standout was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 49 overall in the second-round of the 2008 NFL Draft and emerged as one of the league’s best wide receivers and return specialists early in his career.