Marshall Faulk to Southern University: Hall of Famer Takes Over Jaguars Program in Landmark Hire

BATON ROUGE, La. — Southern University is making a splash. A massive one.
Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk is officially returning home to Louisiana — this time as the new head coach of the Jaguars.

Southern has agreed to a three-year deal with Faulk, according to multiple sources, marking the first collegiate head-coaching opportunity for the New Orleans native. The move sends shockwaves across the HBCU landscape and continues a growing trend of marquee NFL legends taking the reins at historically Black programs.

Faulk, 52, spent the past year under Deion Sanders at Colorado, serving as the Buffaloes’ running backs coach and helping develop one of the nation’s most high-profile offenses. It was his first coaching job since retiring from the NFL — a reminder that Southern is betting big on star power and football IQ.

A Hall of Fame Resume Arrives at an HBCU Powerhouse

Before stepping into coaching, Faulk’s playing career was nothing short of iconic.
After shredding defenses for three seasons at San Diego State, he became the No. 2 pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. He went on to terrorize the league for 12 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf.”

• 12,279 rushing yards

• 136 total touchdowns

• 2000 NFL MVP

• Super Bowl XXXIV Champion

• Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Now he brings that pedigree less than 90 minutes from where he grew up in New Orleans — to a Southern program starving for stability.

Southern Turns the Page After Turbulent Season

Southern’s 2025 campaign has been brutal:

• 1–10 record

• Nine straight losses

• Head coach Terrence Graves dismissed after a 1–6 start

• Fifth head coach since 2020

The Jaguars have talent, but not traction. Faulk’s arrival signals a reboot — and an era where Southern hopes to pair NFL star credibility with HBCU tradition.

A Trend Continues: NFL Legends Taking Over HBCUs

Faulk becomes the latest major name to enter HBCU coaching circles:

• Michael Vick at Norfolk State

• DeSean Jackson at Delaware State

• Eddie George (Tennessee State, 2021–24)

• Deion Sanders (Jackson State, 2020–22)

The star-coach phenomenon has injected new visibility, recruiting power, and national intrigue into HBCU football. Faulk immediately becomes one of the most prominent figures in the space.

What’s Next for the Jaguars?

Faulk inherits a roster needing direction and a fan base hungry for revival. His NFL experience, regional ties, and partnership with Sanders this past season offer Southern a blueprint for relevance — and maybe more.

Southern closes its season this Saturday against Grambling. After that, it’s Faulk’s show.

The Jaguars wanted a leader who could reset the culture.
They hired a Hall of Famer.

They hired Marshall Faulk.