HBCUs and Their Athletic Departments are Benefiting from Former Professional Players and Coaches

By James B. Ewers, Jr., Ed.D.

By James B. Ewers, Jr., Ed.D.

There seems to be an avalanche of support these days for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As a result, HBCUs are getting more press than any time before. There is not a day that goes by that you do not see a story about an HBCU. If you are a supporter of HBCUs, this is welcomed news.

HBCU alumni associations are gaining more leverage and more members, too. People without HBCU ties also want to know about our schools and traditions. They are asking what is the attraction? What makes these schools so special?

In past months have we seen philanthropist Mackenzie Scott giving billions of dollars to HBCUs? While there are probably multiple reasons for her generosity. I am just happy that it is happening. So many of us graduated from them, and we can spend hours talking about our time in class and on the block. Those memories will be with us forever. Like some of you, I was a student-athlete at an HBCU. Those experiences, too, I will always cherish. Being on the road, eating in other college cafeterias and winning championships were all a part of my HBCU experience.

All the coaches at my HBCU were good people. They were solid citizens. Because of this popularity surge, HBCU athletic departments are riding a wave of increased visibility. Former professional athletes are now seeking to coach at these institutions. I believe they have some strong yearning to be a part of this kind of campus life. For example, most recently, on December 10, 2021, Hue Jackson became the football coach at Grambling State University in Louisiana. He was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee State University (TSU) this past football season. Eddie George, a former professional football player, is the coach at TSU. Coach Hue Jackson has over thirty years of football coaching experience. Coach Jackson talked glowingly about Grambling State Tigers’ James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams in his opening press conference. Both are NFL legends and are in multiple halls of fame.

Maybe this hiring of Coach Hue Jackson will return the Tigers to their glory days. However, we can never forget Coach Eddie Robinson and his success there. If you are a past or present football player at Grambling State University, you know the name Eddie Robinson. Respectfully and admirably, his name and contributions are probably a part of new student orientation.

Hue Jackson may do at Grambling State University what Deion Sanders is doing at Jackson State University. So let us cheer Coach Jackson on as he climbs that mountain called success. While Coach Jackson is the latest coach going to an HBCU, others have followed suit: Tyrone Wheatley (Morgan State University), Greg Ellis (Texas College), and Sean Gilbert (Livingstone College) are each former NFL players who said “Yes” to HBCUs.

The HBCU football season is winding down now, except for the Celebration Bowl and the HBCU Legacy Bowl. The Celebration Bowl will be in Atlanta on December 18, 2021; it pits Jackson State University against South Carolina State University. The HBCU Legacy Bowl will be held on February 19, 2022, in New Orleans. It will feature the best players from HBCUs, and the game will be televised on The NFL Network. Both will be great games, so get your tickets before they sell out.

HBCU basketball season has started, and former professional basketball players are in the coaching ranks. Here are just a few: Elaine Powell (Langston University), Kenny Anderson (Fisk University), Gawan “Bonzie” Wells (LeMoyne Owen College), and Cynthia Cooper-Dyke (Texas Southern University).

The coaching scene will see more pro athletes going to HBCUs, This is only the beginning, and that is good news.