The high publicity and moderate on-field success of Deion Sanders in the college football ranks has inspired a trend of fellow NFL alums foraying into similar ventures. One is DeSean Jackson, who was recently named head coach of the Delaware State Hornets.
Jackson, who spent three of his 15 pro seasons with the now-Washington Commanders, turned to a familiar face for help to ensure his players receive the best possible development.
The former explosive wide receiver will be joined at Delaware State by one of his old teammates, ex-running back Clinton Portis.
Portis will serve as running backs coach under Jackson, the same position he played. It will be his first taste of coaching, as his post-playing career has mostly been spent out of the public eye but for a few unfortunate controversies.
Former Commanders running back Clinton Portis lands on his feet thanks to DeSean Jackson
He was involved in a lawsuit against the NFL regarding head injuries in 2013, and Portis filed for bankruptcy in 2015. His revealing interview with Sports Illustrated in 2017 made some jarring admissions about his mental state after football.
The last time Portis' name was in the headlines, he was being sentenced to six months in prison back as part of a healthcare fraud scheme along with several other former NFL players in 2022. Given all the hardships he has faced since walking away from the league, it's promising that the two-time Pro Bowler seems to be back on his feet.
Portis spent seven of his nine NFL years in Washington. Following the 2003 season, the Denver Broncos traded him for cornerback Champ Bailey, one of the best player-for-player trades in NFL history.
He was one of the team's most consistent performers in a mostly tumultuous era, scoring a touchdown in the 2006 playoff win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That was Washington's most recent postseason victory until their memorable run to the NFC Championship clash this season.
Jackson spent only three seasons in D.C. between 2014 and 2016, after coming over from the division rival Philadelphia Eagles. He eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in two of those three campaigns and helped Washington make the playoffs in 2015. He then went on to play for the Buccaneers, the Eagles again, the Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and the Baltimore Ravens.
Time will tell if Jackson can make it in the college coaching realm, but he's certainly surrounding himself with an intriguing staff. Contrary to popular belief, the "D" in the DMV does not stand for Delaware — but with Portis on board, it's safe to say the Hornets may have some support from the Commanders faithful this season.
