When Mississippi Valley State named Terrell Buckley as its new head football coach, few predicted a seismic shift for a program that’s spent years at the bottom of the SWAC standings.
But as the 2025 season approaches, Buckley and his Delta Devils insist they have set a new tone — and there’s no talk of settling for last place.
“We ain’t going to be last next year,” Buckley, a college star at Florida State and the NFL, declared at SWAC Media Day. “Like I told them (the players), I’m built — I’m Mississippi made and built for this. Yeah, we hadn’t won in decades. Who cares? The opportunity is there. Let’s go. Let’s ride.”
While Buckley may be optimistic about what’s on the horizon, he and the program must fight a history of futility.
The Delta Devils have finished in last place in the SWAC East 15 of the last 18 years and have only completed a season with a record over .500 once since 2006.
Under Buckley, Mississippi Valley State is starting fresh, going so far as not to even look at tape from last season.
“We’re watching nothing from last year, last five years, none of that stuff… It’s about attitude and discipline. If I don’t have to worry about you off the field, it’s easy to get things done on the field. Consistency — that’s what you get every day, win or lose,” Buckley said.
Players say that the new discipline has already changed the locker room. “Coach brought in a lot of hard work and opportunity for guys to just be complete football players,” said running back DePhabian Fant.
Though the outside world expects little, Buckley quickly points out that last year’s upset win over Florida A&M shows what Mississippi Valley State is capable of.
Asked about expectations, defensive back Kobe Byrd responded, “It’s a new era, Valley. Anything from last year — we’re focused on the future. We’re ready to show the work we put in this summer.”
As the program shifts its focus to consistency, discipline, and proving its doubters wrong, Buckley says the Delta Devils supporters — long hungry for a resurgence — will see a team worth supporting.
“Buckle up — 2025, Valley rising,” Buckley promises. “It’s an exciting time.”
