The coaching staffs for the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl have been announced, and it features several significant HBCU representatives on both sides.
The NFC, led by Hall of Fame wide receiver and Mississippi Valley State alum Jerry Rice as head coach, will see Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson serve as Offensive Coordinator.
Jackson is coming an impressive first season at DSU in which he helped the team improve a 1-11 record the previous year to an 8-4 record, coming within a game of winning the MEAC title.
In his 15-year NFL career, Jackson was selected to three Pro Bowls, all as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Also represented on the NFC coaching staff is former NFL veteran defensive back and Fort Valley State alum Tyrone Poole, who will assume the role of Defensive Coordinator.
In September, Poole was named the head coach of the Alabama State Women’s Flag Football program ahead of their second season.
He was also selected to be enshrined in the 2026 Black College Football Hall of Fame class.
The Fort Valley State alum played 14 seasons in the NFL (two seasons on the practice/reserve squad), winning two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004.
Meanwhile, Team AFC, headed by Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, will see Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick serve as the team’s Offensive Coordinator.
In his first season as head coach at Norfolk State, Vick finished with a 1-11 record.
Vick was named to four Pro Bowls in his 13-year NFL career, including in 2010 when he was named the league’s Comeback Player of the Year.
The Pro Bowl Games are set to commence on Tuesday, February 3, airing on ESPN and streaming on NFL+ and the ESPN App at 8:00 p.m. ET.
