History In the Making…JSU in it’s Prime!
Some may think it’s ironic that Deion Sanders, also known as Coach Prime, is the 21st head coach of Jackson State University(JSU) and that Coach Prime’s first press conference was held on September 21st. Not to mention, the first game the Jackson State University football team played and defeated the Edward Waters College Tigers, under the leadership of Coach Prime was on February 21st. These dates may seem ironic, but they are all a part of a larger vision that will change so many lives and a piece of the journey Deion Sanders is taking to make history in HBCU Football. Coach Prime is well known for his God given ability on the field but now he is making history with a coaching hat on.
“I want to touch people, I want to take people to the next level,” these are the words of Coach Prime before he started his JSU football campaign. Coach Prime’s whole purpose for joining the JSU football program as head coach was to level the playing field and give HBCU Football players an equal opportunity to chase their dreams. Many black colleges have limited resources at their school, so sometimes it is hard for some players to reach their full potential considering the lack of resources that power five colleges have. Coach Prime, however, is turning that problem around as we speak by making advancements to the campus of Jackson State University and working to build new facilities for the sports programs.These type of upgrades make a huge difference and can do so much for a program, especially when it boils down to influencing other colleges to start this same process. First impressions are everything and for a young recruit coming out of high school. Living conditions and facilities are a must in the recruiting process when a kid is deciding on which college to attend.
The JSU Tigers have experienced a few tough losing seasons, and haven’t won the SWAC since 2007. Coach Prime is making changes that can hopefully turn this around, by bringing in one of the top recruiting classes in college football to the program of JSU. Bringing in top notch talents like his son’s Shilo (South Carolina Transfer) and Shedeur (Trinity Christian School) Sanders, De’jahn “Nugget” Warren, Isaiah Bolden, and many more who can help this program rise to the top the SWAC(Southwestern Athletic Conference). Being the best comes from learning from the best. Sanders has brought in a new coaching staff with over 84 years of combined experience in the NFL. An opportunity of a lifetime for many on the team. Most college athletes can only dream of being coached by an NFL Hall of Fame player, but for the JSU football team, it is a reality.
“Having a lot of coaches that came from the NFL level that also coached with NFL players, there is no better experience to get than that,” De’Jahn Warren said in an interview.
Warren, an All-American JUCO(Junior College) Defensive Back, is one of Coach Prime’s biggest recruits, flipping his commitment to the University of Georgia to Jackson State instead. This was a major addition to the JSU football roster, and it also showed the power that Coach Prime has to build a solid college football program. Hopefully this becomes a trend and many other young talented athletes chose to migrate towards HBCU football.
Since being under Coach Prime the Tigers have advanced to 3–1 so far the Spring season and are looking forward to two big, upcoming matches in their race to win the SWAC. Many think that Jackson State has a chance at the title and the ability to become a dominant program in HBCU Football. The Tigers play back to back games on ESPN, which makes a spotlight even brighter and is a part of Coach Prime’s plan to level the playing field and bring exposure to these schools. Many of these kids have grew up watching ESPN and now they have the chance to be live in primetime on this network.
“I always dreamed of playing on ESPN…It’s almost like a dream come true,” is what Warren Newman mentioned during an interview. Newman, being here since head coach Coach Tony Hughes was here, said that he can clearly see the differences in the program from then to now.
“I’ve be here for a minute now so seeing the changes and progress being made around this school is just a blessing to see,” Newman said.
Whether it is irony or circumstance, the best defensive back to don the number 21, Coach Prime, is making his presence in Jackson, Ms felt one way or another. He is bringing a new life and energy to the city of Jackson. The culture he is trying to create in this city is a winning one that would benefit the capitol of Mississippi. Only time will tell how great this Coach Prime era will be, so until then we will have to sit back and enjoy the ride because right now it looks like we are in for a good one.
