Marshall Faulk, a former NFL MVP and Hall of Famer, is set to leave his position as running backs coach at Deion Sanders’ Colorado staff for a head coaching role at Southern University, an HBCU in his home state of Louisiana. The transition comes just one season after joining Sanders’ coaching staff, marking a significant step in Faulk’s post-playing career.
Faulk joined Sanders’ coaching staff in 2023, but his move to Southern University is expected to take effect soon. The shift comes after Faulk publicly expressed in August that he would not consider coaching unless Sanders had urged him. Faulk has a storied career, including multiple NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, a Super Bowl victory with the St. Louis Rams, and seven Pro Bowl appearances. His decision to take on the head coaching role at Southern University underscores the growing trend of NFL stars transitioning to HBCUs, following in the footsteps of Michael Vick at Norfolk State and DeSean Jackson at Delaware State.
Colorado has regressed in recent years, following the departure of Sanders’ son, Shedeur, and the star receiver Travis Hunter. The team went 9-4 last season after a 4-8 campaign in Sanders’ first year with the Buffaloes. However, they are now back to their 2023 form with a 3-8 record. Despite their struggles, Faulk has contributed to the running backs’ performance, with the team averaging 5.12 yards per carry (850 yards on 166 rushing attempts).
Faulk’s move to Southern University reflects not only his personal ambition but also a broader movement within collegiate football to bring in former NFL stars as head coaches, leveraging their experience and reputation to elevate the programs. Southern University, an HBCU with a rich history, is expected to benefit from Faulk’s leadership and expertise, as he aims to build on the momentum of previous coaching hires like Vick and Jackson.