Written By Lexx Thornton
The Southern University Jaguars are turning to an NFL legend to reignite their storied program, officially naming Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the school’s next head football coach. The blockbuster hire, announced shortly after the Jaguars’ dramatic Bayou Classic victory, brings one of Louisiana’s most decorated football icons back to his home state.
Faulk, 52, steps into his first collegiate head-coaching role, succeeding Terrence Graves, who was dismissed earlier in the 2025 season after a struggling 1-6 start. The move immediately injects national credibility and recruiting star power into the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) program.
Faulk is expected to be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday, December 1, officially marking the start of the new era for the Jaguars.
Faulk’s hiring continues a growing trend within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) of recruiting former NFL stars to take the helm. This strategy, notably pioneered by Deion Sanders at Jackson State, aims to maximize national exposure, increase recruiting appeal, and engage new donors.
Southern’s bold move places Faulk among a prestigious group of former NFL greats now leading HBCU programs, including DeSean Jackson at Delaware State and Michael Vick at Norfolk State. The hope is that Faulk can leverage his massive platform and disciplined approach to restore Southern’s national profile and lead the Jaguars back to SWAC dominance.
The program, which last reached the SWAC Championship Game in 2024, is now relying on Faulk’s legendary status and newfound coaching experience to provide the transformative leadership necessary to match the school’s passionate history and tradition.
