A New Chapter for DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick
Former Philadelphia Eagles teammates DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick are now making their mark as head coaches, facing off against each other in a highly anticipated matchup. Jackson is the current head coach at Delaware State, where he's in his first season with the Hornets. On the other side, Vick is coaching at Norfolk State, also in his first season with the Spartans.
The two former Eagles teammates, who played together from 2009 to 2014 in Philadelphia, met again on Thursday evening in their old home stadium, Lincoln Financial Field. In that game, Jackson emerged victorious, leading Delaware State to a 27-20 win over Norfolk State. This matchup has sparked interest in how both coaches are faring during their first seasons at their respective schools.
DeSean Jackson's Journey at Delaware State
DeSean Jackson has led the Hornets to a strong start this season, with a record of 6-3 through eight games. The team has also started the MEAC Conference season with a 2-0 record, securing their first conference win last week with a 35-26 victory over NC Central.
Delaware State currently holds a slight lead atop the MEAC standings, with South Carolina State and Howard right behind at 1-0 in-conference. The Hornets opened their season with a 35-7 loss to in-state rival Delaware but quickly bounced back with three straight wins over Albany, Bowie State, and Saint Francis. After dropping two road games to Sacred Heart and Monmouth, the Hornets rebounded with a dominant 70-23 win over Southern Connecticut State and the aforementioned victory over NC Central.
Michael Vick's Challenges at Norfolk State
Michael Vick's team has had a much slower start to the season. Through the first nine games, the Spartans have a record of 1-8, with only one win so far—against Virginia State. The Spartans began the season with a 1-1 record, opening with a 27-7 loss to Towson. They then defeated Virginia State 34-31 before suffering a heavy loss to Rutgers, 60-10.
Norfolk State followed that with three straight losses to Sacred Heart, Wagner, and Hampton, all of which were close games. The Spartans have since lost their last two games to Wofford and South Carolina State by combined scores of 82-34.
In a recent article highlighting Vick's journey to Norfolk State, it was reported that Spartan season ticket prices have doubled due to increased demand. Vick has expressed his focus on improving as a head coach, acknowledging the challenges of being on the sidelines.
"I'm trying to focus on how I can be better as a head coach," Vick said after his team's loss to Hampton earlier this month. "I feel like I do a good job of getting us ready to play. But you know, when the ball is snapped, I'm not out there. … That's what makes it so tough being on the sidelines. I try to remove myself from that and help them, but I can't help them [on the field]. All I can do is put them in position."
Vick has even made changes to his defensive staff midseason, showing his commitment to turning things around.
Comparisons to Deion Sanders' First Season
Given that both Vick and Jackson are first-year head coaches at HBCUs, there have been some comparisons to Deion Sanders. After coaching his sons at Trinity Christian High School, Sanders was hired as the head coach at Jackson State in 2020. Due to the pandemic, Jackson State played in the spring of 2021, finishing 4-3, with one victory via forfeit.
During his first full season in the fall of 2021, the Tigers went 11-2 and won the SWAC Championship. Jackson has expressed excitement about playing against his former teammate in Philadelphia, calling it a cool experience.
DeSean Jackson's College Career
DeSean Jackson was born and raised in Los Angeles, Calif. He played football for the Cal Bears in Berkeley from 2005 to 2007 under former head coach Jeff Tedford. Jackson led the Bears in receiving yards in his first two seasons at Cal, finishing with 162 receptions for 2,423 yards and 22 touchdowns.
His best season came in 2006, when he recorded a career-high 1,060 yards receiving with nine touchdowns. He averaged 18 yards per catch, which led the nation. Cal reached 10 wins that season, culminating in a Holiday Bowl victory over Texas A&M.
Jackson was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Eagles.
Michael Vick's College Career
Vick played two seasons at Virginia Tech from 1999 to 2000. As a redshirt freshman in 1999, he threw for 1,840 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He led the nation in passing efficiency (180.37), a record for a freshman at the time.
He also rushed for 585 yards and eight touchdowns that season. That year, he finished third in Heisman voting, behind the winner Ron Dayne and fellow finalist Joe Hamilton.
In his second season as a starter at Virginia Tech, he missed several games due to injury. Still, he threw for 1,234 yards with eight touchdowns and six interceptions, and rushed for another 617 yards with eight touchdowns.
Vick was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.