Jackson State officially presents Sanders as new head football coach
Deion Sanders was introduced to the Jackson State faithful as only he could be introduced.
The highly-anticipated announcement — that Sanders would become the university's 21st head football coach — came from the hype of bringing in the biggest name to be affiliated with JSU football since Walter Payton.
"I believe this is going to be a marriage in heaven," Sanders said, "and I cannot wait to get started."
How the hiring came to be
Acting President Thomas K. Hudson called the announcement "probably the worst-kept secret in Jackson, Mississippi."
Initial reports of Sanders being a potential head coach candidate for Jackson State surfaced on Aug. 31, the day John Hendrick was fired after compiling a 6-9 record over the previous two seasons since taking over in 2018. The university denied the report the same night.
Rumors hit a fever pitch last week as outlets began reporting Sanders was the leading candidate for the job.
Wednesday, ESPN'S The Undefeated reported the news after Robinson said an announcement for the new head coach was coming in the next "five to six days."
Thursday, Hbcusports.com reported that Jackson State would name Sanders as its next head coach. Soon after, reports surfaced citing Jackson State officials saying it was not true.
Late Saturday night, Sanders also posted photos on Instagram of him at home in Texas with Hudson and JSU Athletic Director Ashley Robinson with the caption "I Believe."
Robinson quickly created a Twitter account during the weekend, posting a series of cryptic tweets about the coming announcement. One tweet posted Sunday said "Get Ready" with a fire emoji, along with a Youtube link to audio of Jackson State's band playing The Temptations' song of the same name.
Sanders confirmed the news Sunday night on his new Barstool Sports podcast, 21st & Prime.
"God called me to Jackson State," Sanders said on the podcast.
The entrance
On Monday, a select group of alumni, coaches, students and media filled 200 seats spread out for social distancing in the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center.
Inside, old school R&B classics played softly. Every attendee was required to wear face masks.
A few minutes after 9 a.m., loud sirens were heard from outside the arena as security cleared people standing around.
Then, came the high-stepping drum majors. Next, the Prancing J-settes dance team, with the band and drumline not too far behind.
Having the Sonic Boom of the South, Jackson State's band, perform inside the AAC was nothing new. What happened next was.
Two police motorcycles entered the arena before pulling off to the side followed by a squad car. Behind the squad car was a black SUV with heavily-tinted windows.
Sanders, his family and Jackson State officials emerged. The band played The Temptations' "Get Ready" as attendees on the tarped gym floor waved blue-and-white spirit sticks.
Robinson spoke on his excitement for bringing in Sanders by listing the coach's accomplishments. Two-time Super Bowl champion, Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer.
"I can go on and onabout our coach, but we need to talk about the type of person Coach Prime is,"
Robinson said. "He's a man who will refine and enhance the skills of our players. Not only on the football field, but in the classroom and community."
Monday service
Sanders' speech felt more like a church service than an event introducing a new football coach.
The majority of those in attendance wore tailored suits or dresses.
When Robinson or Sanders walked to the lectern, attendees greeted them with standing ovations. When Sanders assertively stated some of his goals for the program, JSU fan Jermaine Cunning repeated one or two words from the coach's sentences loudly, similar to the call-and-response between a pastor and a congregation.
As Sanders spoke, some in the room responded "yes" and "alright" for assurance.
Robinson, who sat behind Sanders, shook his head every time he agreed with one of Sanders' points.
Sanders, who has been affiliated with Dallas ' Bishop T.D. Jakes, and has delivered pulpit testimonies himself, said on the debut episode of his podcast that he wanted to help build up his players' spirituality.
"As with anything, we have to put God first," Cunning said. "Whether it's the football program, your studies at school, whatever it is you're involved (with) in the community, we have to put God first, and that's what's needed back in this community as far as bringing it to a whole. If he starts there? That's going to translate to the players and we're going to take them from boys to men."
The background
The two-sport professional athlete made eight Pro Bowls, six All-pro teams and was the 1994 AP Defensive Player of the Year in 14 seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, The Washington Football Team and Baltimore Ravens. He also played nine seasons in the MLB for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants.
Sanders, who has never been a college football coach, is currently offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian in Cedar Hill, Texas, where his son, Shedeur, is a senior. He also coached the 2020 Under Armour All-american Game and has hosted camps to work directly with elite prospects. Sanders will finish coaching the current high school season before beginning his new gig on Dec. 1.
The expectation
Sanders was blunt in his vision for JSU football.
He said he wants championships. He said he wants Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium to be filled to its 60,000fan capacity each home game. He wants players who draw interest from the Power 5 conferences. He wants players who want to play in the NFL, and he wants to put 100 players in the NFL during his time at JSU.
"I have a commitment to excellence in each and every single thing I do," Sanders said. "I did not leave my 100 acres and a mule to come here for no bull junk. We're going to win. We're going to look good while we win. We're going to have a good time, Sonic Boom, while we win, and we're going to do this professionally."
More than football
Fans and community members alike hope the excitement from Monday's announcement carries not only into the JSU football team, but the school's athletic department and community at large.
"It's a great day not only for Jackson State, but it's a great day for SWAC football, it's a great day for HBCU football," said Cunning, who attended the Monday rally on campus.
"The notoriety, the work ethic and everything Deion Sanders brings, I think it's going to be great for our University, and this community."
While admitting he rarely gets excited, Jackson State men's basketball head coach Wayne Brent, who also attended the rally said he looks forward to how Sanders could help bring more talent to every team at Jackson State.
The talk of elite high school prospects going to Historically Black Colleges and Universities heated up in early June after five-star basketball prospect Makur Maker committed to Howard University. Mikey Williams, a top recruit for 2023, said he was considering playing at an HBCU.
"I think it's a win-win," Brent said. "I think we as a coaching staff in basketball, we have to use him, we have to use what he's going to bring to the table. Whenever we have recruits in, we'll be able to take them over there and talk to him.
"The main thing is, if he's willing to help you like that, then you actually have something."
Contact Rashad Milligan at 601-8626198 or Jmilligan@gannett.com. Follow @Rashadmilligan on Twitter.