Marshall Faulk officially announced as Southern's head football coach

Southern University Athletics will officially introduce Marshall Faulk as its head football coach on Monday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

This announcement comes just hours after the football team defeated Grambling State University 28-27 at the 52nd Annual Bayou Classic. The athletic department released a graphic featuring Faulk as the school’s next head coach.

UPDATE: 11/29/2025 at 8:00 PM CT

Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk is set to become the next head football coach of the Southern University Jaguars, according to Kevin Batiste of WAFB. A report from insider Jordan Schultz adds that Faulk has agreed to a three-year deal with an option.

The former NFL MVP will take over one of HBCU football's storied programs, returning home to Louisiana while continuing a growing trend of high-profile NFL legends taking head coaching roles at an HBCU.

Southern hopes Faulk can follow the rapid success of DeSean Jackson at Delaware State and the historic transformation led by Deion Sanders at Jackson State.

A Hall of Famer Comes Home

Faulk, a New Orleans native, most recently served as running backs coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders, marking his first college coaching job.

Before his professional career, Faulk was a collegiate superstar at San Diego State, finishing runner-up for the 1992 Heisman Trophy. He led the nation in touchdowns in 1991 and rushing yards in 1992, cementing himself as one of college football's most dynamic playmakers.

Faulk later became one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. The Indianapolis Colts selected him second overall in 1994, and he made immediate history as both NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl MVP. He shared the Colts' backfield late in his tenure with another New Orleans native — Peyton Manning.

Faulk was traded to St. Louis in 1999, where he became the centerpiece of the "Greatest Show on Turf" alongside Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt. He won the 2000 NFL MVP and helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV.

Why Southern Needed a Reset

Southern parted ways with head coach Terrence Graves after a 1–6 start to the 2025 season. Graves led the Jaguars to the 2024 SWAC Championship Game, but the program rapidly unraveled this fall, dropping to 1–10 with a nine-game losing streak entering the Bayou Classic under interim head coach Fred McNair.

The downturn, combined with growing frustration among fans and donors, positioned Southern to make a bold hire.

Faulk's arrival offers instant credibility, national attention, donor excitement, and potential recruiting power — assets Southern desperately needs to rebuild.

Inside the Hiring Push

Multiple reports indicate Southern officials flew to Boulder, Colorado to meet Faulk in person, underscoring the school's aggressive pursuit. Batiste also reported that a major Southern donor helped facilitate the move.

Southern hopes Faulk's Louisiana roots and marketability will boost recruiting, sponsorships, ticket sales and brand value. Sources anticipate a sweeping overhaul of the coaching staff and immediate roster evaluation once Faulk arrives.

A tentative press conference is expected Monday, in line with Southern's Board of Supervisors' schedule, where the deal is likely to be finalized.  

The contract is rumored to exceed those of recent Southern head coaches.

What Faulk Brings to Southern

Southern's bold hire comes with big questions — and big potential. Faulk brings:

• Hall of Fame name recognition

• NFL and collegiate offensive expertise

• Coaching experience under Deion Sanders

• Instant credibility with recruits and donors

Key questions remain:

• Who will Faulk hire as his coordinators?

• How will he build his recruiting pipeline?

• What offensive system will he run?

• Can he turn Southern into a SWAC contender quickly?

In a conference where high-profile hires are increasingly common, Southern's move signals more than a coaching change — it signals ambition.

The Jaguars are not just striving to compete on the field. They are aiming to reclaim national attention, recruit at an elite level, and return to HBCU football dominance.