Just when the HBCU football world thought it had found its next dynasty builder, the coaching carousel threatens to spin DeSean Jackson right out of Dover, Delaware. CBS Sports insider Matt Zenitz has linked the Delaware State head coach to the Sacramento State vacancy, sending shockwaves through the MEAC and raising a critical question: Can HBCU programs hold onto transformational coaches in today's cutthroat college football landscape?
The Transformation That Put D-Jax on the Map
Let's be real about what DeSean Jackson accomplished in his first year at Delaware State. When the Philadelphia Eagles legend was hired on December 27, 2024, skeptics wondered if a three-time Pro Bowler with zero coaching experience could actually turn around a program that had been stuck in neutral for years. The answer? An emphatic yes.
Jackson led the Hornets to an 8-4 record in 2025, finishing 4-1 in MEAC play and placing second in the conference. That might not sound earth-shattering until you realize this is a program that went 1-11 in 2024. We're talking about a seven-game swing in Year One. That's not just improvement, that's a complete cultural overhaul.
The stats tell the story of a disciplined, physical football team. Jackson didn't just recruit talent, he installed a mentality. He called his team "addicted to winning" midway through the season, and the results backed up the talk. Delaware State became competitive in every game, losing only to South Carolina State in the MEAC title showdown and dropping three non-conference contests against quality opponents.
Why Sacramento State Makes Sense (Unfortunately)
Here's where it gets uncomfortable for HBCU fans. Sacramento State isn't just any FCS program looking for a splash hire. They're a Big Sky Conference stalwart that just lost Brennan Marion to Colorado, where he'll serve as offensive coordinator for Deion Sanders. The Hornets went 7-5 in 2025 and have made four FCS playoff appearances in the last six seasons.
Translation: This is a program with resources, institutional support, and a winning tradition. For a first-time head coach like Jackson, it represents a step up in competition, budget, and visibility. Sacramento State plays in a conference that regularly sends teams deep into the FCS playoffs. The Big Sky is no joke.
And let's talk money. While exact figures haven't been disclosed, FCS programs outside the HBCU sphere typically offer more competitive salaries and better facilities. That's not a knock on Delaware State, it's just the reality of college athletics' financial landscape. Jackson turned down nobody to take the Delaware State job, but after proving himself, bigger opportunities will come calling.
The HBCU Coaching Carousel Crisis
This isn't just about DeSean Jackson. It's about a disturbing pattern emerging across HBCU football. The 2025 coaching carousel has already seen multiple moves, with successful coaches either leaving for FCS jobs outside the HBCU ranks or getting poached by larger programs.
Michael Vick took the Norfolk State job in a similar high-profile hire. Tremaine Jackson left Valdosta State for Prairie View A&M. The carousel keeps spinning, and HBCU programs are increasingly becoming stepping stones rather than destinations. That's a painful reality check for fans who remember when coaching at an HBCU was a career-defining honor, not a resume builder.
Delaware State fans have every right to be frustrated. They invested in Jackson, gave him a platform, and watched him deliver immediate results. Now, after just one season, they might have to start over. Again. It's exhausting, and it undermines the long-term development these programs desperately need.
What This Means for Delaware State
If Jackson leaves, Delaware State faces a critical crossroads. Do they try to replicate the celebrity hire model and bring in another former NFL star? Or do they pivot to an experienced coach who might not generate headlines but could provide stability?
The 8-4 record proves the talent is there. Jackson recruited well and established a winning culture. The challenge now is building off that success, not starting from scratch. Whoever takes over, if Jackson departs, inherits a program with momentum, expectations, and a blueprint for winning.
But here's the kicker: Continuity matters. Programs that cycle through coaches every 1-2 years don't build dynasties. They build frustration. Delaware State needs to either convince Jackson to stay or find someone committed to the long haul. Anything less is a step backward.
The Bigger Picture: Can HBCUs Compete in the Coaching Market?
This situation exposes a fundamental challenge facing HBCU athletics. How do you compete for coaching talent when your budget is a fraction of what non-HBCU FCS programs offer? How do you convince coaches that building something special at an HBCU is worth turning down more lucrative opportunities?
The answer isn't simple. It requires institutional investment, better facilities, competitive salaries, and a commitment to football as a priority. Some HBCUs are making those investments. Others are stuck in a cycle of underfunding and underperformance.
DeSean Jackson's potential departure would be a gut punch, but it's also a wake-up call. If HBCU programs want to keep transformational coaches, they need to create environments where those coaches want to stay. That means money, yes, but also vision, support, and a genuine commitment to competing at the highest level of FCS football.
What Happens Next?
As of now, nothing is official. Jackson remains Delaware State's head coach, and Sacramento State is conducting a national search. But the smoke is real, and where there's smoke, there's usually fire.
HBCU fans should hope Jackson stays. His success at Delaware State could inspire other high-profile hires and prove that HBCU programs can be destinations, not just stepping stones. But if he leaves, it won't be because he didn't care about Delaware State. It'll be because the college football ecosystem makes it nearly impossible for HBCU programs to compete financially with better-funded FCS institutions.
The next few weeks will tell the story. Will D-Jax stay and build a dynasty in Dover? Or will Sacramento State lure him west with promises of bigger budgets and brighter lights? Either way, this situation underscores the urgent need for HBCU athletics to level the playing field, or risk watching their best coaches walk out the door year after year.
One thing's for certain: DeSean Jackson proved he can coach. Now the question is where he'll do it next. And for Delaware State fans, that uncertainty is agonizing.
