Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club Episode: INTERVIEW: DeSean Jackson On Coaching Delaware State, Earning Respect, Fatherhood + More
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Host/Authors: DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: DeSean Jackson, Head Coach of the Delaware State Hornets

Introduction In this compelling episode of The Breakfast Club, hosts DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God engage in an in-depth conversation with DeSean Jackson, the newly appointed head coach of the Delaware State Hornets. The discussion delves into Jackson's transition from a celebrated NFL career to collegiate coaching, his motivations behind choosing Delaware State, and his vision for empowering young athletes.

1. Transition from NFL to Coaching DeSean Jackson opens up about the surreal experience of moving from a 15-year NFL career to coaching. Reflecting on his journey, he shares:

"Honestly, bro, I'm in a position, man, going through my whole life and my accomplishments... To be a head coach in the NFL after retiring two years ago, it's a surreal feeling."
[01:54]

Motivation Beyond Money Charlamagne probes into Jackson's motivations, especially given that many HBCU positions may not be lucrative. Jackson passionately responds:

"Honestly man, it's to change young kids' lives, give them opportunities, give them hope... to help them and change their lives."
[02:29]

He emphasizes his desire to provide guidance to young black youths, drawing from his own upbringing in Los Angeles where sports were his pathway out of challenging environments.

2. Securing the Delaware State Position The conversation shifts to how Jackson landed the head coaching role at Delaware State. Initially hesitant about stepping into college coaching, Jackson explains how opportunities unfolded:

"Deleware, Delaware State. Actually, one of a good friend of mine hit me and he was like, bro, you want to coach college football?... So less than 48 hours, I'm on a flight going to Delaware."
[05:18]

This rapid progression underscores Jackson's readiness to embrace new challenges and his commitment to impacting young athletes positively.

3. Challenges in Recruiting and Perception of HBCUs Addressing the hurdles HBCUs face in attracting talent, Jackson draws parallels with the successes of figures like Deion Sanders and Michael Vick:

"With the resources like you spoke on, for me, having a name, having a... Deion Sanders, Michael Vick... Travis Hunter and Shador Sanders showed a lot of players that you can go to an HBCU and still go to a Power 5."
[09:11]

He highlights the growing popularity and potential for HBCUs to produce elite athletes, aiming to replicate these successes at Delaware State.

4. Building Trust and Respect with Players A significant portion of the interview focuses on Jackson's approach to coaching, emphasizing mutual respect and trust:

"Building that trust and letting them know, like, I was once in your position. I know where you want to go. Relate to that. Let me help you get there."
[08:34]

Jackson insists on establishing rapport before exerting authority, ensuring that players feel valued and understood.

5. Balancing Parenthood and Coaching Jackson candidly discusses his personal life, particularly how fatherhood has influenced his professional responsibilities:

"When I retired in 2022... I got both my kids full time... That really put some discipline in."
[25:07]

He underscores the importance of being present for his children, which has instilled a sense of responsibility and focus as he embarks on his coaching career.

6. Reflections on NFL Career and Influences Throughout the conversation, Jackson reflects on his NFL tenure and the mentors who shaped him:

"Travis Hunter and Shador Sanders... Eddie George... Jerry Rice... They're my two mentors."
[33:07]

He credits these figures for their guidance and support, which continue to inspire his coaching philosophy and commitment to excellence.

7. Vision for Delaware State Hornets Looking ahead, Jackson shares his ambitious plans for the Delaware State Hornets:

"We not rebuilding, we coming in right now, we want to win this year."
[23:24]

He aims to infuse the team with determination and a winning mentality from the outset, leveraging his extensive experience to elevate the program.

8. Addressing Skepticism and Proving Doubters Wrong Acknowledging the skepticism surrounding his appointment, Jackson addresses challenges head-on:

"There's no shoes that are too big for me... I'm surrounding myself with great people. That's not going to allow me to fail."
[07:05]

His confidence and strategic planning aim to dismantle doubts and establish a successful coaching tenure.

Conclusion In closing, DeSean Jackson's interview on The Breakfast Club paints a picture of a driven, compassionate leader poised to make significant strides in collegiate athletics. His dedication to fostering young talent, combined with his rich professional background, sets the stage for what promises to be an inspiring coaching career at Delaware State University.

Notable Quotes

• DeSean Jackson
  "Why not go touch these young kids' lives, man, to help them and change their lives."
  [02:29]

• DeSean Jackson
  "I love the doubt. And right now, I'm facing some more doubt... But there's no shoes that are too big for me."
  [07:05]

• DeSean Jackson
  "When you become a coach, you have to be the resemblance of what you want your young men to look like."
  [13:24]

• DeSean Jackson
  "I just want to tell y'all too, man. Y'all been killing it with y'all show, man. Been watching y'all for a long time."
  [36:34]

Key Takeaways

• Empowerment Through Coaching: DeSean Jackson is committed to using his platform to uplift and mentor young athletes, providing them with opportunities he once sought.

• Strategic Leadership: His approach to coaching emphasizes building trust, fostering respect, and instilling a winning mentality from day one.

• Personal Responsibility: Balancing fatherhood with professional aspirations, Jackson exemplifies dedication and discipline, serving as a role model both on and off the field.

• Breaking Stereotypes: By taking a coaching role at an HBCU, Jackson challenges preconceived notions about such institutions and showcases their potential to produce top-tier talent.

Future Implications DeSean Jackson's move to Delaware State is more than a career shift; it's a strategic move to influence and transform collegiate athletics, particularly within HBCUs. His leadership is anticipated to not only elevate the Delaware State Hornets' performance but also inspire other former athletes to pursue impactful roles in sports education and mentorship.