Jackson State Football

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.

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.

Deion Sanders has denied a report that he is assembling an all-star coaching staff to join him at Jackson State University.

Joe Cook of 16 WAPT News in Jackson, Mississippi, reported Pro Football Hall of Famers Terrell Owens and Warren Sapp will serve as assistants on Sanders' staff. The tweet has since been deleted.

Before the post was removed, however, Sanders quickly denied that report:

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG! This is how junk gets started. Not a good way to get started with me. #CoachPrime WOW https://t.co/oybVbOoTSe

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) September 22, 2020

Sapp also took to social media to quiet the buzz—in a very bold manner:

https://twitter.com/WarrenSapp/status/1308482722168532994

Sanders announced on his 21st & Prime podcast that he would be taking over as head coach at Jackson State. 

"God called me to Jackson State," he said (h/t Rashad Milligan of the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger). 

Sanders issued a statement when the school announced his hiring on Monday:

"I am truly blessed to be the 21st Head football coach of Jackson State University. This amazing HBCU has always enjoyed a high level of commitment academically and athletically. It's my desire to continue this storied tradition and history of JSU and prayerfully bring more national recognition to the athletes, the university, the Sonic Boom of the South, and HBCUs in general. I am TRULY proud to be a part of the JSU Tiger family. 'I BELIEVE'"

The Tigers will be Sanders' first foray into head coaching at the college level. He spent the previous three seasons as offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian High School in Texas. 

Sanders' connections from his playing career and work as a television analyst for the NFL Network would seem to make it easier for him to build an elite coaching staff to help turn Jackson State into a power program in the FCS.  

The rumors are true: Deion Sanders is coming to Jackson State. The Hall of Fame cornerback announced on his 21st & Prime podcast that he will take over as the HBCU's next head football coach. 

"Why not? Isn't this the time?" Sanders said. "Isn't this the moment? Isn't this what's needed? To match what our president eloquently said, it's a match made in heaven. This is a God move."

Sanders has been the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School (TX) since 2017. In addition to his role at Jackson State, he will remain at Barstool Sports as an NFL analyst and podcast host.

"It's very big for Jackson State University," Jackson State athletic director Ashley Robinson said. "Not only for Jackson State University, this is very big for the country right now. Very big for the state of Mississippi. To Coach Prime, Jackson State University—a blue-blood program full of Hall of Famers—it's just a great time."

Jackson State is expected to officially announce Sanders' hiring Monday.

Sanders will take over a program that has fallen on hard times for nearly a decade. Jackson State has not had a winning season since 2013 and let go of coach John Hendrick after a 4-8 campaign in 2019. The program has not reached the FCS playoffs since 1997.

Sanders, who brings with him a Hall of Fame resume and national cache Jackson State has never seen, says he's committed to bringing in pro prospects.

"If you have no desire to play on Sundays, you can't play for me," Sanders said on the podcast. "I want players that have the willingness and the readiness to sacrifice and go to the next level ... If you're good enough to play at Alabama, you're good enough to play in Jackson."

Sanders' name recognition should be enough to get some higher-level recruits to consider heading to an HBCU. However, he may have to prove his acumen as a coach before building the school into an FCS power.

Jackson State is reportedly going prime time.

According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, the school is "finalizing a deal with Deion Sanders to make him" the school's next head football coach. This update comes after previous reporting from Dellenger suggesting Sanders was not a finalist.

He explained the two sides had to work out an apparel issue, as Jackson State is a Nike school and Sanders is under contract with Under Armour.

Steven J. Gaither of HBCU Gameday, who reported acting head coach TC Taylor was also a "serious candidate for the job," explained Jackson State signed an exclusive four-year contract with Nike in 2018.

It "would have to pay heavily to get out of the deal," Gaither wrote. He added, "Getting Deion Sanders would definitely make a splash, but will JSU have the money to cough up to get away from Nike?"

Sanders will have his work cut out for him in turning around a Tigers team that has not enjoyed a winning season since 2013.

Jackson State was a mere 4-8 last season and ended the campaign with three straight losses. The last of those was a 41-6 defeat at the hands of Alcorn State.

Sanders has worked in the media of late but is best known for his Hall of Fame playing career. He suited up for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington and Baltimore Ravens from 1989 through 2005, although he was retired from 2001 through 2003.

He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion who won the 1994 Defensive Player of the Year.

While Sanders doesn't have head coaching experience at the collegiate or NFL levels, Rashad Milligan of the Clarion-Ledger noted he is an offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian, a high school in Cedar Hill, Texas, which has won three state championships in a row.

Is it really unsportsmanlike conduct if a tiger is involved?

In the third quarter of a 36-15 defeat to Bethune-Cookman, Jackson State wide receiver Warren Newman went full extension to haul in a 34-yard touchdown grab. The Tigers' mascot got a bit too enthusiastic and ran into the end zone.

The referees assessed a 15-yard penalty for the infraction.

"Unsportsmanlike conduct, Jackson State mascot for coming onto the field."

This actually happened 😅 pic.twitter.com/jjBL12XCg3

— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2019

The penalty proved relatively costly for Jackson State. It moved the kickoff up 15 yards, with Jimmie Robinson returning the ball to the Bethune-Cookman 43-yard line.

The Wildcats only needed 1:25 to score as Akevious Williams hit pay dirt on a 20-yard run to help bring the team to within one point. Bethune-Cookman scored 29 unanswered points to cruise to victory.