HBCU Legends

The Prime Candidates: 15 Coaches to Replace Deion Sanders at Jackson State

Fifteen head coaching candidates for the position once held by Coach Prime at Jackson State.

Kyle T. Mosley

The Prime Candidates: 15 Coaches to Replace Deion Sanders at Jackson State
The Prime Candidates: 15 Coaches to Replace Deion Sanders at Jackson State /

HOUSTON - Jackson State football seeks a new leader after Deion Sanders accepted the head coach position at the University of Colorado. Coach Prime recommended to athletic director Ashley Robinson that assistant coach T.C. Taylor become the program's new head football coach. Taylor is an intriguing choice to succeed Sanders because Taylor was the team's offensive coordinator and later demoted by Sanders. 

Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders walking during pregame warmups at the 2022 SWAC Football Championship at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, MS on Dec. 3, 2022.  Credit: Kyle A. Mosley/HBCU Legends

WHAT ABOUT CURRENT JSU STAFF MEMBERS?

Sanders failed to mention two names - Dennis Thurman and Bret Bartolone (offensive coordinator) did not mention Gary Harrell, aka "Coach Flea" (assistant coach). Harrell coached the team for five games during Sanders' hospitalization for blood clots and two amputated toes.

TOP-15 COACHING CANDIDATES

Here are my top-fifteen candidates for Life AP (After Prime) at Jackson State University.

  1. Chennis Berry - Benedict College head coach
  2. Willie Simmons - Florida A&M head coach
  3. Vincent Dancy - Mississippi Valley State head coach (Dancy will join Deion Sanders' staff.)
  4. Gary Harrell - Jackson State assistant coach/running backs
  5. Jerry Mack - Tennessee running backs coach/former NCCU head coach with 3 MEAC titles
  6. Quinton Morgan - Langston (OK) head coach
  7. Antone' Sewell- Morgan State assistant head coach/defensive coordinator
  8. Dennis Thurman - Jackson State defensive coordinator
  9. TC Taylor - Jackson State assistant coach/wide receivers
  10. Herman Edwards - Former NFL and NCAA head coach
  11. Damon Wilson - Morgan State head coach
  12. Trei Oliver - NCCU head coach
  13. Reginald Ruffin - Tuskegee athletic director
  14. Alvin Parker - Virginia Union head coach
  15. Duane Taylor - Alabama A&M assistant head coach/offensive coordinator
Coach Berry
Benedict Head Coach Chennis Berry; Credit: Benedict Athletics

OUR TOP CHOICE

Our top choice is Chennis Berry for many positive reasons. Berry transformed the Benedict College (11-1) football program into winners this season. In 2019, their record was 1-9. Berry entered and brought them to a respectable 5-5 in 2020. Today, the Tigers are the 2022 SIAC Football Championship title holders and earth a berth to the 2022 NCAA Super Region 2 Playoff.

The 2022 AFCA Region 2 and SIAC Coach of the Year is highly respected by the Benedict administration, staff, players, and recruits. He knows how to navigate the transfer portal successfully by signing players like quarterback Eric Phoenix. 

He's a strong figure that could bring stability, a willingness to work with administration, and a personality to reach young people in the surrounding community.

Vincent Dancy
Vincent Dancy; MVSU AthleticsFlorida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons holds up the trophy after he and his team defeated the BCU Wildcats 41-20 during the annual Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Famu V Bcu Second Half1924 Credit:© Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK
Willie Simmons
Vincent Dancy; MVSU AthleticsFlorida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons holds up the trophy after he and his team defeated the BCU Wildcats 41-20 during the annual Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Famu V Bcu Second Half1924 Credit:© Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

COACHES TO CONSIDER

Others to vigorously pursue would be Vincent Dancy and Willie Simmons. Simmons is set at Florida A&M, but Dancy could be an attractive hire for the Tigers. 

The MVSU head coach commands a room and his players follow his tenacious persona. He's a SWAC guy whose teams are dangerous on the field, creating yearly upsets.

Coach Prime visited him and saw firsthand the low resources provided to Dancy, yet he still motivates his players to give their all on the field. He could do wonders at Jackson State.

Update on Dancy (12/8/22) - He will join Deion Sanders' staff at Colorado.

Antone' Sewell, Quinton Morgan, Duane Taylor, and Jerry Mack are young and suitable to handle the rigors of the job.

Let the debates begin. Coach Prime's exit has opened the door to a myriad of options for Ashley Robinson and President Hudson. How will they handle the search process, and who will become the 22nd head coach of the Jackson State Tigers football team?

We shall see.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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