Wednesday was an exciting day on the Delaware State University campus.
In fact, it was so exciting that the press conference introducing new head coach DeSean Jackson started about 10 minutes early.
“I want my guys to get up early,” Jackson said 25 minute conference where he met DSU athletic director Tony Tucker and school president Dr. Tony Allen talked about his goal of improving the program. “I’m from the West Coast, so if we get up at 5 in the morning, guess what? Someone gets up at 2 a.m.”
Jackson’s enthusiasm was contagious as many “Go Birds” chants, amens and cheers filled the room during his speech. He promised that his players will be not only great football players but also students.
“Two wins in two years; this cannot happen again,” he said.
Jackson’s ambition makes a lot of sense when you consider that the 5-foot-10, alleged 175-pound wide receiver played 15 seasons in the NFL. One of the smallest guys on the field every game, he always made a big impact—he was the first NFL player in the modern era to be named to the Pro Bowl at multiple positions in the same season.
After just one year as an offensive coordinator at the high school level, he became an NCAA Division I head football coach. The whispers Jackson hears are accusations of who and what he has been surrounded by throughout his life, especially in his youth.
He understands the feeling of being told that achievements are impossible and that change is impossible. He faces the prospect of changing the culture of defeat that hangs over Delaware’s football program like a dark cloud.
What’s new @DSUHornets football coach @DeSeanJackson10 what people can expect from his program.
“I’m going to do it Coach Jackson’s way.” Video courtesy of HBCU Sports reporter @CJWritesNThangs pic.twitter.com/QDh23gEtFI
— HBCU Sports (@HBCUSports) January 8, 2025
The Hornets haven’t won the MEAC title since 2007. Their last winning season was in 2012. For a once-proud program, the struggles of recent decades have been a sad, embarrassing feature, not a fault.
That cloud was absent from the conference room of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center on Wednesday. The “Approaching Storm” marching band was as lively as ever. Several university and state officials heeded the words of Jackson, Tucker and Allen.
Most importantly, the Delaware State football players sat high and proud for what they felt for the first time in forever when Jackson addressed them directly, promising them his full commitment and hard work.
Time will tell Jackson is a coach To change Delaware State’s football fortunes, but as any observer will tell you, there’s nothing wrong with trying something different with someone different.
If Jackson’s parting message of “Don’t come back when we’re hot” holds true, it will likely be the most important and successful gamble in Delaware State athletics history.
