Not a few were surprised when NFL legend Deion Sanders was named coach of Jackson State last December. While Sanders sure has the acumen to steer a young squad, picking a relatively unknown program was quite unexpected from the flamboyant cornerback.
But in his short time with Jackson State, the 54-year-old Sanders has immediately made things happen. In a report by the New York Post, the team will play eight of its 11 games on one of ESPN's stations, highlighting the growing interest among fans in seeing the man nicknamed Prime Time on prime time TV.
But still, the question remains: Why Jackson State?
“It would be very selfish of me to have all of this experience, knowledge, wisdom and hoard it and just vanish off the face of the earth without molding the minds of these young men who have the capability of transforming not only their own lives but the communities around them. A lot of people say, ‘Why Jackson state?’ I would respond to that by saying, ‘Why not?'”
Sanders, who won two Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, has been raring to coach in college. He tried his luck with his alma mater Florida State and later on, Arkansas, but to no avail. Now, he's finally gotten his chance in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. It may be less heralded than other conferences, but Sanders will definitely change that, according to Jackson State reporter Rashad Milligan.
“He’s brought a national spotlight to Jackson, Mississippi—and all the attention that comes with it.”
Deion Sanders will never be not interesting.
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