'Prime Time' Kudos to HBCU, Jackson State
With significant off-season changes, athletes and coaches produce a successful year
When head coach T.C. Taylor took the Jackson State head coaching position, they lost 17 coaches and staff members and approximately 50-60 players.1 It was a program that almost completely turned over by a high-profile coaching change from Deion Sanders to Taylor.
Jackson State had to essentially restart. Despite the staff and roster being decimated, Jackson State were able to accomplish a winning record, seven-win season, and five SWAC victories. The Tigers also won five out of their last seven games, a sign of continued progress throughout the season. In contrast, their heralded predecessor lost eight out of last nine games.
Like many successful programs, a very large part of the success should be credited to the athletes who sacrifice their blood, sweat, and tears into the program. Jackson State was able to quickly stabilize their roster and recruit players to fill the many departures, which included some of the more talented players in the nation (eg, WR/CB Travis Hunter and QB Shedeur Sanders). Credit should also be given to those players who chose to stay. As returning player Jency Riley told Zion Olojede, “Last year, it was kind of divided. You can see that in a couple of losses…It was a group full of individuals playing the game. This year we've played as a team.”
A key move for Jackson State was retaining and promoting assistant coach Taylor to head coach as well as keeping a couple assistants. Taylor has deep roots in Mississippi hailing from Magnolia, starring at South Pike High School, and playing for Jackson State before returning as an assistant in 2019. Taylor recently spoke of what it means to coach at Jackson State, “Being able to go to work as the head coach of Jackson State University and impacting these men's lives and developing them, that is what it is all about."
In addition to the success on the field, the proud Jackson State faithful filled the stands as in years past (shout-out to world renowned JSU’s marching band, Sonic Boom Of The South and Prancing J-Settes). According to Randall Barnes of HBCU Pulse2, Jackson State led all HBCU and FCS teams in attendance. Barnes explains, “Jackson State still maintained its status as the most active FCS fan base even after the departure of Deion Sanders to Colorado in December 2022.”
Several years ago there was a cultural resurgence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The US experienced social unrest in 2020 in reaction to police brutality and racial injustice. Highly regarded athletes like Chris Paul, other celebrities, and Sanders presence at Jackson State helped to reinvigorate attention to HBCUs and placing HBCUs in a positive spotlight.
It is important to note that HBCUs have always had a very proud tradition producing incredible talent on-and-off the sports arena. Historically, the best athletes attended and played at HBCUs:
Football - Jackson State alum Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Willie Lanier
Men’s basketball - Bob Dandridge, Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Sam Jones
Women’s basketball - Bennett College 1930s team arguably most dominant of all-time
With all the necessary positive that came from the end of the horrific history of US segregation, an unfortunate and unintended outcome was PWI absorbing much of the talent and securing the resources through athletics that could have gone to HBCUs in what ended up being a billion dollar industry of college athletics. Meanwhile, many HBCUs are fighting financially for their very existence.
In a swirling wind of negativity (including sports), we should acknowledge the positive that comes of it. With respect to Jackson State football, the athletes and coaches embarked on an the improbable journey to secure a winning, successful season after the program was decimated by transition and turnover. Hopefully we will witness a continued renaissance, investment, and survival of HBCUs. May the Sonic Boom Of The South keep marching and Prancing J-Settes keep J-Setting…
Despite modest 7-4 record, why Jackson State football's T.C. Taylor should get votes for SWAC Coach of Year. J.T. Keith, https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2023/11/21/why-jackson-state-football-t-c-taylor-should-get-votes-swac-coach-of-year/71534720007/
2023 FCS HBCU football attendance numbers revealed. Randall Barnes. https://clutchpoints.com/2023-fcs-hbcu-football-attendance-numbers-revealed