Deion Sanders walked into the Athletic Assembly Center on Monday accompanied by the famed Sonic Boom of the South marching band wearing a white Jackson State University cap and custom, tailored jacket with the school’s logo emblazoned all over it.
Prime Time had arrived in the SWAC on Monday.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders officially agreed to become the 21st head coach at JSU.
“I believe God led me here because man didn’t know I was coming,” a weeping Sanders said during the introductory news conference me to Jackson State.
Jackson State President Thomas Hudson and Athletic Director Ashley Robinson, who made an appearance on the 21st and Prime podcast Sunday, described the enormity that Sanders was now part of the program.
“This is very big for the country right now. Very big for the state of Mississippi. To Coach Prime, Jackson State University — a blue blood program full of Hall of Famers — it’s just a great time.”
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Thomas, who recently traveled to Texas with Robinson to recruit Sanders, said the school was unveiling “probably the worst kept secret in Jackson, Mississippi right now.”
“This is a significant occasion because it is a pivotal turning point for Jackson State football and Jackson State University,” said Hudson.
Sanders, who is currently the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian in Cedar Hill, Texas, said he wanted to be a college coach because it was the right time for him.
“A lot of people are going to say ‘why?’ Honestly, man, I’ve been offered pro jobs, just so people know, said Sanders. “I could be an assistant at any college or a head coach at any college, but at such a time as this, God called me to Jackson State, and me to these men.”
During his address to Jackson State supporters, Sanders often sounded more motivational speaker than a coach at times. “We will never settle for mediocrity every again,” Sanders said about a program that hasn’t won a SWAC Eastern Division championship since 2014. I hope you are ready. I hope you are prepared. We have a commitment to excellence in everything I do.
Sanders, as only he could, described how he hoped his tenure at Jackson State will play out.
“We’re going to win,” he said. “We’re going look good while we win. We’re going to have a good time while we win but we’re going to do it professionally. I believe this is going to be a marriage made in heaven. I can’t wait to get started.”
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