DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick are facing off as head coaches Thursday evening, bringing their former Philadelphia Eagles partnership to opposite sidelines.
Jackson is leading Delaware State in his first season with the Hornets. Vick is coaching Norfolk State, also in his first year with the Spartans.
The former Eagles teammates played together from 2009-2014 in Philadelphia. They’ll meet as coaches at their old home stadium—Lincoln Financial Field.
DeSean Jackson coaching record
Jackson has led the Hornets to a 5-3 start through eight games. Delaware State is 1-0 in the MEAC Conference.
The Hornets got their first conference win last week, beating NC Central 35-26. Delaware State is tied atop the MEAC standings with South Carolina State and Howard at 1-0 in conference play.
Delaware State opened with a 35-7 loss to in-state rival Delaware. The Hornets then won three straight over Albany, Bowie State and Saint Francis.
They dropped two straight road games to Sacred Heart and Monmouth. Delaware State rebounded with a 70-23 win over Southern Connecticut State before the NC Central victory.
Michael Vick coaching record
Vick’s team has struggled early. The Spartans are 1-7 through eight games, with their lone victory coming over Virginia State.
Norfolk State started 1-1, losing to Towson 27-7 in Week 1. They defeated Virginia State 34-31 for their only win.
The Spartans lost 60-10 at Rutgers in Week 3. They followed with three straight one-score losses to Sacred Heart, Wagner and Hampton.
Norfolk State has lost its last two games to Wofford and South Carolina State by a combined 82-34.
The Washington Post reported that Spartan season ticket prices have doubled due to increased demand.
“I’m trying to focus on how I can be better as a head coach. I feel like I do a good job of getting us ready to play. But you know, when the ball is snapped, I’m not out there. … That’s what makes it so tough being on the sidelines. I try to remove myself from that and help them, but I can’t help them [on the field]. All I can do is put them in position.”
Vick made changes to his defensive staff midseason.
Where did DeSean Jackson go to college?
Jackson was born and raised in Los Angeles. He played for Cal from 2005-2007 under head coach Jeff Tedford.
He led the Bears in receiving yards in his first two seasons. Jackson finished with 162 receptions for 2,423 yards and 22 touchdowns in three seasons.
His best year came in 2006 with a career-high 1,060 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 18 yards per catch, which led the nation.
Cal reached 10 wins that season and won the Holiday Bowl over Texas A&M.
The Eagles drafted Jackson in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Where did Michael Vick go to college?
Vick played two seasons at Virginia Tech from 1999-2000.
As a redshirt freshman in 1999, he threw for 1,840 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He led the nation in passing efficiency (180.37), which was a freshman record at the time.
Vick rushed for 585 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished third in Heisman voting behind winner Ron Dayne from Wisconsin and finalist Joe Hamilton from Georgia Tech.
Injuries limited his second season as starter. He threw for 1,234 yards with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Vick added 617 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
The Atlanta Falcons drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2001 NFL Draft.
How Norfolk State, Delaware State compare to Deion Sanders’ first season
Both Vick and Jackson are drawing comparisons to Deion Sanders as first-year HBCU head coaches.
Sanders coached his sons Shedeur and Shilo at Trinity Christian High School before joining Jackson State in 2020.
Jackson State played a COVID-shortened spring 2021 season. Sanders’ team finished 4-3, with one victory via forfeit.
During his first full season in fall 2021, the Tigers went 11-2 and won the SWAC Championship.
Jackson talked earlier this week about playing against his former teammate in Philadelphia.
