DOVER, Del. (AP) — Former NFL receiver DeSean Jackson is taking over the football program at Delaware State.
The school announced Jackson's hire Friday in the latest move by a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference program to hire a former NFL star as its football coach. Norfolk State hired Michael Vick last week.
“DeSean Jackson is a perfect fit for our institution — incredibly competitive, optimistic about the prospects for our collective future," said Tony Tucker, the school's new athletic director.
Jackson joins a growing list of former NFL standouts who have taken over HBCU programs in recent years. Deion Sanders had success at Jackson State before heading to Colorado, and Eddie George guided Tennessee State to the FCS playoffs this year.
“HBCUs have much to be proud of in creating a more representative America. 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,” Jackson said. “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 replaces Lee Hull after the Hornets went 1-11 this season. In addition to Hull's departure, the school announced earlier this month that athletic director Alecia Shields-Gadson was stepping down at the end of the year, with Tucker replacing her.
Jackson is from Los Angeles and played college football at California, but his NFL career took him through Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore, three teams in pretty close proximity to Delaware State.
“DeSean is like a son to me — a fierce competitor on the field, without rival, and a quality leader off of it,” said Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who coached Jackson in Philadelphia. “I could not be more supportive of his desire to coach Division I football and would stake my career on his success at Delaware State University. We are bound at the hip and are forever family. I cannot wait to see where he takes the university and where the university takes him. This is a win-win for everyone."
Delaware State will hold its first news conference with Jackson on Jan. 8.
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FILE -Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson poses with the WWE belt prior to an NFL football game between the Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
FILE - Former Philadelphia Eagles DeSean Jackson reacts to the crowd prior to the NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
MILAN (AP) — French standout Cyprien Sarrazin remained under sedation on Saturday after undergoing a successful operation on a head injury sustained in a brutal crash the previous day during training for a World Cup downhill race in Bormio.
Sarrazin, who won the downhill on Bormio’s fearsome Stelvio course last year, was one of two skiers airlifted to hospital after crashing on Friday on the slope set to be used for the Milan-Cortina Olympics in 14 months.
He later underwent surgery to drain a bleed near the brain.
“Cyprien Sarrazin was operated on yesterday night to decompress the intracranial hematoma,” the French ski federation said in a statement.
“The operation went well, he remains under anesthesia for the moment. We will communicate more information during the day.”
Sarrazin, who was fastest in the first training session the previous day, was on course for another good time in Friday’s second run when he appeared to hit a bump and lost control as he was catapulted into the air, bouncing twice on the snow and sliding a long way down before being brought to a halt by the safety netting on the side.
The 30-year-old received immediate treatment before being taken by helicopter to a hospital in Sondalo, about 20 kilometers from Bormio.
Sarrazin enjoyed his best campaign on the World Cup circuit last season with four victories — three downhill and one super-G — but has yet to win in 2024-25.
Italian skier Pietro Zazzi of Italy was also airlifted to Sondalo hospital following a crash and was set to undergo surgery in Milan on Saturday after fracturing the tibia and fibula of his right leg.
The downhill is scheduled for Saturday, with a super-G also on the Stelvio the following day.
The men’s Alpine skiing events at the 2026 Olympics will take place in Bormio, while the women’s will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The two ski areas are separated by a five-hour car ride.
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Medical staff are helping France's Cyprien Sarrazin after crashing into protections net during an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill training, in Bormio, Italy, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
France's Cyprien Sarrazin is airborn during an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill training, in Bormio, Italy, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)
France's Cyprien Sarrazin speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill training, in Bormio, Italy, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Medical staff are carrying France's Cyprien Sarrazin after crashing into protections net during an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill training, in Bormio, Italy, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
Medical staff are helping France's Cyprien Sarrazin after crashing during an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill training, in Bormio, Italy, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
Medical staff are lifting France's Cyprien Sarrazin to an helicopter after crashing into protections net during an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill training, in Bormio, Italy, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
