Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders will finish his first season as Jackson State's head football coach with a 4-3 record. 

Per Rashad Milligan of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, the Tigers' final game against Prairie View A&M scheduled for Saturday was canceled because of COVID-19 protocols and contact tracing within Jackson State's program.  

This marks the third time during the spring season that Jackson State had a game impacted by COVID-19 protocols. 

The Tigers-Panthers game was originally scheduled for March 28 but was postponed for COVID-19 issues within the Prairie View A&M program. 

The first time Jackson State had to adjust its schedule for health and safety protocols was for a Feb. 27 game against Mississippi Valley State.

Sanders was hired by Jackson State in September. The Pro Football Hall of Famer was brought in to turn around a program that posted six consecutive seasons without a winning record from 2014 to '19. 

The Tigers started 3-0 under Sanders before losing their next three games. Their final win was a forfeit victory over Alcorn State, which opted out of the spring season.   

Jackson State finished third in the SWAC East standings, behind Alabama A&M and Alabama State.  

 

Count former Dallas Cowboys teammate Troy Aikman among those who are impressed with Deion Sanders' work as the Jackson State head coach.

Jarrett Bell of USA Today shared some of Aikman's comments:

He's kind of an old soul that is so relatable to today’s athlete.

It's a wonderful combination. I'm trying to think who else might be like that, to have been away from the game for as long as he has been, but is still very relevant as a player with this generation. Can you think of anybody?

If I'm relevant, it's because they see me as a broadcaster. They know I played, but they don't relate to me as a player as much. When it comes to Deion, you've still got kids doing the 'Prime Time' dance when they get to the end zone.

Aikman attended Jackson State's 53-0 victory over Edward Waters in February, which was Sanders' debut as a coach.

Sanders said the Hall of Fame quarterback being there brought him to tears:

Troy Aikman came to watch Deion make his coaching debut 🙏

(via @DeionSanders) pic.twitter.com/JonouUzyNV

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 22, 2021

"Deion has his share of critics, as he knows," Aikman said. "I think a lot of people look at what he does, because of his personality and such, that they don't appreciate what it is he's doing. I feel like him going to Jackson State, he's really put himself out there and laid it on the line. So I couldn't be prouder of him."

The two players were teammates on the Cowboys from 1995 through 1999 and won a Super Bowl together.

Jackson State is off to a 3-3 start this season and faces Alcorn State on Saturday.

The floodgates to the coaching ranks of historically Black colleges and universities may be opening wide for former NFL stars.

Jackson State hired Deion Sanders last September, and Tennessee State announced the arrival of Eddie George as its next head coach Tuesday. Sanders explained how others have signaled interest as well.

"Guys like Ray Lewis, I know who's tremendously interested, Ed Reed are certainly guys that I truly know are interested in the love, the game and love kids," the Hall of Famer said to Rashad Milligan of the Clarion Ledger. "This could be a phenomenal thing."

Lewis expressed a desire to coach one day in 2017 but has yet to work in a head coaching or assistant role. Miami hired Reed as its chief of staff in January 2020, a role that includes "strategic planning, quality control, operations, player evaluation and player development."

Sanders didn't have a wealth of experience before taking over at Jackson State. He had briefly served as offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas. Under his watch, the Tigers are 3-3 during the FCS spring football season.

Sanders' decision to coach Jackson State came amid a renewed focus on growing the athletic programs of HBCUs. Once Division I programs began opening their doors to more Black players, HBCUs were unable to attract talent that was otherwise getting overlooked, which caused a domino effect.

The Atlantic's Jemele Hill wrote in October 2019 that more elite high school recruits should consider attending HBCUs to help bring more attention to those schools.

Having prominent NFL legends coach HBCUs isn't necessarily the same thing but could help achieve the goal Hill laid out if those legends prove to be equally adept on the sideline.

Deion Sanders didn't find it funny when Alabama State posted a picture of him on the scoreboard during Saturday's 35-28 victory over his Jackson State football team.

After the Hornets sealed the win with a late interception, the scoreboard operator posted this image on the screen:

https://twitter.com/nick_a_alvarez/status/1373425130249019400

"Childish," Sanders said during his postgame press conference about the photo. "It is what it is. They know they messed up."

Sanders also noted he was unhappy that Alabama State didn't provide his school any tickets to the game and forced the Tigers to wait until Saturday morning to use their locker room to unpack their gear.

"I'm going to call them out on it," the 53-year-old said. "That's what it was. They tried to respond with a bit of foolishness. We've got to keep it on the field and make it about the kids, make it about the fans. It's not about me."

The Pro Football Hall of Famer is in his first season as Jackson State's head coach. The Tigers won their first three games of the Southwestern Athletic Conference season prior to Saturday's defeat.

Jackson State has a bye this week before hosting Southern on April 3.

In his first major test as a college head coach, Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders led the Jackson State Tigers to a 33-28 road win over the Grambling State Tigers at Eddie Robinson Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana, on Saturday.

Jackson State trailed 28-27 in the fourth quarter, but a touchdown by senior wide receiver Warren Newman put Jackson State on top 33-28 in the fourth, and a late goal-line stand sealed it late.

Grambling looked to be going in for the go-ahead score, but Jackson State linebacker Aubrey Miller forced a fumble, and linebacker Keonte Hampton recovered it with 1:04 remaining in regulation to secure the win.

The win was a huge one for Jackson State, as it marked the Tigers' first victory over Grambling since 2012. It was also Grambling's first home loss against any team since 2015.

Jackson State got on the board first Saturday with a touchdown pass from quarterback Jalon Jones to Corey Reed to seize a 7-0 lead:

https://twitter.com/21standprime/status/1368266287391072260

While Jackson State fell behind 14-7 after striking first, Coach Prime's team righted the ship and reeled off 20 points in a row to take a 27-14 lead into halftime.

On a 64-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Daylen Baldwin to give Jackson State a 20-14 lead, Sanders could be seen running down the sidelines in excitement:

https://twitter.com/21standprime/status/1368281931994066955

The exclamation point on a strong first half came with five minutes left when Jackson State running back Tyson Alexander rushed for a 33-yard score:

https://twitter.com/21standprime/status/1368283932622524417

Things got worrisome for Jackson State in the second half, as Grambling scored two unanswered touchdowns, but the Newman touchdown in the fourth quarter followed by a goal-line stand were enough for Sanders' team to hang on.

It was far from a perfect performance by Jackson State, as the Tigers missed two extra points and a short field goal, but they showed plenty of grit and determination.

Now, Jackson State is 2-0 under Sanders, as it defeated NAIA team Edward Waters 53-0 in his head coaching debut.

Last week's scheduled game against Mississippi Valley State was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test within the Mississippi Valley State program, but Jackson State didn't miss a beat.

Meanwhile, Grambling is off to a 0-1 start after letting a fourth-quarter lead slip away Saturday afternoon.

Sanders and Jackson State are scheduled to return to the field next Sunday in a makeup game against Mississippi Valley State.  

Former NFL star and current Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders' belongings were found after he told reporters that they were stolen from the locker room during Sunday's 53-0 victory over Edward Waters.

A school official told Nick Niehaus of WAPT that the items were found after Sanders' press conference.

Sanders later took to Twitter to explain the situation, saying that his assistant caught the person in the act of stealing:

Naw it was stolen but they got it back. It was stolen out my personal bag in my office and My assistant caught the gentleman in the process of stealing it but she was alone. No Miscommunication my man at all https://t.co/foXTKwqsQC

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021

Whomever putting out the lie that my belongings wasn’t stolen is LYING. My belongings were taken out of a zipped bag in my office and more items were taken as well from my office. We have retrieved them since being reported. My Staff member witnessed the crime. #Truth

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021

Lies. It was stolen because a staff member walked in on the theft being committed but she couldn’t fight a dude off. https://t.co/SByAPPPH1H

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021

Jackson State athletic director Ashely Robinson confirmed the recovery of the items to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.

"We're going to find out who did it," Sanders said at the time, noting he had his wallet and cellphone taken. 

Robinson later issued a statement on the matter:

Official Statement Regarding Incident pic.twitter.com/pDKQNtd7dd

— Jackson State Athletics (@GoJSUTigers) February 22, 2021

Sanders added that he was "pissed" about the situation. 

A sad, bizarre and unfortunate situation. After his first win as Jackson State's head football coach Deion Sanders reveals that his personal items were stolen during the game. pic.twitter.com/S0CyJMN1VW

— Joe Cook (@JoeCookSports) February 21, 2021

Sanders said it was the second time he's had his belongings stolen since becoming the head coach:

Since moving to Jackson in December, this is the second time Deion Sanders has had property stolen.

Someone stole a boom box from his car. Upon learning it was Deion's boom box, the person returned the property to him.

"What happened today was malicious, a personal attack."

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 21, 2021

Sanders leaves the stadium clearly ticked off. His belongings were the only ones stolen from the locker room, a “malicious and targeted” attack, he says. pic.twitter.com/5NCwyBfzbu

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 21, 2021

Sunday was Sanders' debut as a head coach. He was hired in September, but the school postponed its season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackson State will play eight games in total this season.

He also got a surprise before the game, as his former teammate Troy Aikman greeted him on the field:

Aikman surprised his former teammate @DeionSanders in pregame warmups ahead of coaching his first college football game. Dallas Cowboys all grown up. Love to see it. pic.twitter.com/u8r39jGEqO

— Rashad Milligan (@RashadMilligan) February 21, 2021

Troy Aikman surprised former Cowboys teammate Deion Sanders for Deion’s coaching debut at Jackson State

(via @TroyAikman’s Instagram) pic.twitter.com/WOsl6vk0Cz

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) February 21, 2021

"How do you think it feels, coming back, teary eyed—the guys just presented me with the game ball, one of the best moments that I've ever had in my career—and you notice you don't have a phone to call your momma, your girl, your kids, because it's been stolen," he told reporters prior to the recovery of his belongings. 

Deion gets the ice water bath in February. Jackson State wins 53-0. pic.twitter.com/LsLRI6wLn5

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 21, 2021

Jackson State will face Mississippi Valley State next weekend. 

Deion Sanders had a coaching debut to remember as Jackson State hammered NAIA program Edward Waters College 53-0 on Sunday. 

#FINAL

WE WENT FOR 50 🥶#IBelieve pic.twitter.com/0Ky7W7ZcrA

— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) February 21, 2021

Sanders was on the receiving end of a Gatorade shower after the game:

Deion gets the ice water bath in February. Jackson State wins 53-0. pic.twitter.com/LsLRI6wLn5

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 21, 2021

This was Jackson State's first game of the season after the FCS adopted a spring football schedule amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hall of Famer Troy Aikman was on hand to support his former teammate:

Troy Aikman pulled up to support former teammate Deion Sanders in his college football coaching debut 🙌

(via @TroyAikman) pic.twitter.com/smgVkxP7zo

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 21, 2021

Edward Waters represented an easy test for Jackson State out of the gate. Not only are the Tigers further down the college football pyramid, but they also finished 1-10 last season.

Wide receiver Warren Newman caught a shovel pass from quarterback Jalon Jones from six yards out and ran it in for Jackson State's first score of the game in the opening quarter.

Jackson State's first TD under head coach Deion Sanders 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dqG7q1t8jH

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) February 21, 2021

A 21-point second quarter by Sanders' squad broke things wide-open.

Jackson State raised eyebrows when it hired Sanders in September. The 53-year-old is one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time and a name known to most football fans, but his coaching experience was limited. He had briefly been the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas.

Sanders at least made a strong first impression Sunday.

The day wasn't without some hardship, though, as he told reporters somebody broke into the coaches' office and stole his belongings.

Jackson State returns to action Saturday at home against Mississippi Valley State. The Delta Devils went 2-9 in 2019 and lost in overtime 31-28 in their last meeting with Jackson State.

Football Hall of Famer and Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders opened up about the uneven playing field that historically Black colleges and universities face when it comes to football during Wednesday's Southwestern Athletic Conference media days.

"The playing field is horrible," Sanders told reporters. "It's not a level playing field. It's unacceptable. Thank God that God called me to change the game, to open their eyes, to open the door. Not just for Jackson State, but for everybody."

While there are differences even within Power Five conference programs between the likes of Alabama and Ohio State compared to Vanderbilt and Northwestern, Sanders said it was about more than just massive cathedral-like stadiums and boosters helping the programs.

"Some of the things that I've seen thus far early in my tenure are truly unacceptable," Sanders said. "It causes a kid not to dream. It causes a kid to not have that passion because he don't see no end result that's promising for him."

He highlighted outdated equipment, training tables and other concerns.

"I'm doing this for these babies, man," Sanders said. "They deserve it. The look in their eyes when they get a whole new sweatsuit just to wear back to the darn dorm. Shoes and looking the same when they get the helmets and the uniforms and all that stuff plays a tremendous role."

Nick Suss of the Clarion Ledger noted Sanders helped Jackson State coordinate a deal with Under Armour and met with Golden Corral to discuss having a place for his players to eat off campus.

The eight-time Pro Bowler knows what it is like to play with proper equipment and support in place considering he went to football powerhouse Florida State for college and played 14 years in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington and Baltimore Ravens.

Turning things around at Jackson State will not be an easy task for Sanders after the Tigers went 4-8 during the 2019 campaign.

They are scheduled to open their upcoming season Feb. 21 against Edward Waters.

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Shilo Sanders is entering the transfer portal, according to Matt Zenitz of AL.com. 

Sanders, a redshirt freshman, is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. 

Sanders appeared in four games for the Gamecocks last season before redshirting. In nine contests this season he's posted 32 tackles and a pass deflection. 

It is unclear if Sanders will transfer to Jackson State to play under his father, who was named the head coach in September. His younger brother, 4-star quarterback Shedeur Sanders, flipped his commitment from Florida Atlantic and instead committed to play for the Tigers.

Shilo Sanders is expected to be the third departee from South Carolina's defensive backfield in 2020, joining juniors Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu, who have declared for the NFL draft. 

Players who enter the transfer portal are free to return to their current school. The portal does allow players the ability to transfer without requesting permission from their current coaches or programs, and allows other schools to contact them.

Deion Sanders didn't have to look far to secure his first major commitment since taking over as the head coach at Jackson State.

Deion's son Shedeur Sanders has flipped his commitment from Florida Atlantic to play for his father starting in 2021. 

Shedeur originally committed to FAU in July.

"I wanted to write my own legacy, FAU gave me a opportunity to do that! I trust the staff," he told ESPN's Gerry Hamilton in a text message (h/t ESPN's Tom VanHaaren). "[FAU coach] Willie Taggart was the first coach to offer me a opportunity to play at the next level."

Deion Sanders broke the news of his hiring at Jackson State on his 21st & Prime podcast (h/t Rashad Milligan of the Clarion Ledger) in September.

"God called me to Jackson State," the Pro Football Hall of Famer said.

The school announced the hiring Sept. 21.

Shedeur Sanders is a 4-star prospect and the No. 14 pro-style quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

The Tigers are coming off a 4-8 record in 2019 and haven't posted a winning record since 2013.