SWAC Football

Former NFL star and current Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders' belongings were found after he told reporters that they were stolen from the locker room during Sunday's 53-0 victory over Edward Waters.

A school official told Nick Niehaus of WAPT that the items were found after Sanders' press conference.

Sanders later took to Twitter to explain the situation, saying that his assistant caught the person in the act of stealing:

Jackson State athletic director Ashely Robinson confirmed the recovery of the items to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.

"We're going to find out who did it," Sanders said at the time, noting he had his wallet and cellphone taken. 

Robinson later issued a statement on the matter:

Sanders added that he was "pissed" about the situation. 

Sanders said it was the second time he's had his belongings stolen since becoming the head coach:

Sunday was Sanders' debut as a head coach. He was hired in September, but the school postponed its season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackson State will play eight games in total this season.

He also got a surprise before the game, as his former teammate Troy Aikman greeted him on the field:

"How do you think it feels, coming back, teary eyed—the guys just presented me with the game ball, one of the best moments that I've ever had in my career—and you notice you don't have a phone to call your momma, your girl, your kids, because it's been stolen," he told reporters prior to the recovery of his belongings. 

Jackson State will face Mississippi Valley State next weekend. 

Deion Sanders had a coaching debut to remember as Jackson State hammered NAIA program Edward Waters College 53-0 on Sunday. 

Sanders was on the receiving end of a Gatorade shower after the game:

This was Jackson State's first game of the season after the FCS adopted a spring football schedule amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hall of Famer Troy Aikman was on hand to support his former teammate:

Edward Waters represented an easy test for Jackson State out of the gate. Not only are the Tigers further down the college football pyramid, but they also finished 1-10 last season.

Wide receiver Warren Newman caught a shovel pass from quarterback Jalon Jones from six yards out and ran it in for Jackson State's first score of the game in the opening quarter.

A 21-point second quarter by Sanders' squad broke things wide-open.

Jackson State raised eyebrows when it hired Sanders in September. The 53-year-old is one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time and a name known to most football fans, but his coaching experience was limited. He had briefly been the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas.

Sanders at least made a strong first impression Sunday.

The day wasn't without some hardship, though, as he told reporters somebody broke into the coaches' office and stole his belongings.

Jackson State returns to action Saturday at home against Mississippi Valley State. The Delta Devils went 2-9 in 2019 and lost in overtime 31-28 in their last meeting with Jackson State.

Football Hall of Famer and Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders opened up about the uneven playing field that historically Black colleges and universities face when it comes to football during Wednesday's Southwestern Athletic Conference media days.

"The playing field is horrible," Sanders told reporters. "It's not a level playing field. It's unacceptable. Thank God that God called me to change the game, to open their eyes, to open the door. Not just for Jackson State, but for everybody."

While there are differences even within Power Five conference programs between the likes of Alabama and Ohio State compared to Vanderbilt and Northwestern, Sanders said it was about more than just massive cathedral-like stadiums and boosters helping the programs.

"Some of the things that I've seen thus far early in my tenure are truly unacceptable," Sanders said. "It causes a kid not to dream. It causes a kid to not have that passion because he don't see no end result that's promising for him."

He highlighted outdated equipment, training tables and other concerns.

"I'm doing this for these babies, man," Sanders said. "They deserve it. The look in their eyes when they get a whole new sweatsuit just to wear back to the darn dorm. Shoes and looking the same when they get the helmets and the uniforms and all that stuff plays a tremendous role."

Nick Suss of the Clarion Ledger noted Sanders helped Jackson State coordinate a deal with Under Armour and met with Golden Corral to discuss having a place for his players to eat off campus.

The eight-time Pro Bowler knows what it is like to play with proper equipment and support in place considering he went to football powerhouse Florida State for college and played 14 years in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington and Baltimore Ravens.

Turning things around at Jackson State will not be an easy task for Sanders after the Tigers went 4-8 during the 2019 campaign.

They are scheduled to open their upcoming season Feb. 21 against Edward Waters.

Deion Sanders didn't have to look far to secure his first major commitment since taking over as the head coach at Jackson State.

Deion's son Shedeur Sanders has flipped his commitment from Florida Atlantic to play for his father starting in 2021. 

Shedeur originally committed to FAU in July.

"I wanted to write my own legacy, FAU gave me a opportunity to do that! I trust the staff," he told ESPN's Gerry Hamilton in a text message (h/t ESPN's Tom VanHaaren). "[FAU coach] Willie Taggart was the first coach to offer me a opportunity to play at the next level."

Deion Sanders broke the news of his hiring at Jackson State on his 21st & Prime podcast (h/t Rashad Milligan of the Clarion Ledger) in September.

"God called me to Jackson State," the Pro Football Hall of Famer said.

The school announced the hiring Sept. 21.

Shedeur Sanders is a 4-star prospect and the No. 14 pro-style quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

The Tigers are coming off a 4-8 record in 2019 and haven't posted a winning record since 2013.

The rumors are true: Deion Sanders is coming to Jackson State. The Hall of Fame cornerback announced on his 21st & Prime podcast that he will take over as the HBCU's next head football coach. 

"Why not? Isn't this the time?" Sanders said. "Isn't this the moment? Isn't this what's needed? To match what our president eloquently said, it's a match made in heaven. This is a God move."

Sanders has been the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School (TX) since 2017. In addition to his role at Jackson State, he will remain at Barstool Sports as an NFL analyst and podcast host.

"It's very big for Jackson State University," Jackson State athletic director Ashley Robinson said. "Not only for Jackson State University, this is very big for the country right now. Very big for the state of Mississippi. To Coach Prime, Jackson State University—a blue-blood program full of Hall of Famers—it's just a great time."

Jackson State is expected to officially announce Sanders' hiring Monday.

Sanders will take over a program that has fallen on hard times for nearly a decade. Jackson State has not had a winning season since 2013 and let go of coach John Hendrick after a 4-8 campaign in 2019. The program has not reached the FCS playoffs since 1997.

Sanders, who brings with him a Hall of Fame resume and national cache Jackson State has never seen, says he's committed to bringing in pro prospects.

"If you have no desire to play on Sundays, you can't play for me," Sanders said on the podcast. "I want players that have the willingness and the readiness to sacrifice and go to the next level ... If you're good enough to play at Alabama, you're good enough to play in Jackson."

Sanders' name recognition should be enough to get some higher-level recruits to consider heading to an HBCU. However, he may have to prove his acumen as a coach before building the school into an FCS power.

Jackson State is reportedly going prime time.

According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, the school is "finalizing a deal with Deion Sanders to make him" the school's next head football coach. This update comes after previous reporting from Dellenger suggesting Sanders was not a finalist.

He explained the two sides had to work out an apparel issue, as Jackson State is a Nike school and Sanders is under contract with Under Armour.

Steven J. Gaither of HBCU Gameday, who reported acting head coach TC Taylor was also a "serious candidate for the job," explained Jackson State signed an exclusive four-year contract with Nike in 2018.

It "would have to pay heavily to get out of the deal," Gaither wrote. He added, "Getting Deion Sanders would definitely make a splash, but will JSU have the money to cough up to get away from Nike?"

Sanders will have his work cut out for him in turning around a Tigers team that has not enjoyed a winning season since 2013.

Jackson State was a mere 4-8 last season and ended the campaign with three straight losses. The last of those was a 41-6 defeat at the hands of Alcorn State.

Sanders has worked in the media of late but is best known for his Hall of Fame playing career. He suited up for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington and Baltimore Ravens from 1989 through 2005, although he was retired from 2001 through 2003.

He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion who won the 1994 Defensive Player of the Year.

While Sanders doesn't have head coaching experience at the collegiate or NFL levels, Rashad Milligan of the Clarion-Ledger noted he is an offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian, a high school in Cedar Hill, Texas, which has won three state championships in a row.

Is it really unsportsmanlike conduct if a tiger is involved?

In the third quarter of a 36-15 defeat to Bethune-Cookman, Jackson State wide receiver Warren Newman went full extension to haul in a 34-yard touchdown grab. The Tigers' mascot got a bit too enthusiastic and ran into the end zone.

The referees assessed a 15-yard penalty for the infraction.

The penalty proved relatively costly for Jackson State. It moved the kickoff up 15 yards, with Jimmie Robinson returning the ball to the Bethune-Cookman 43-yard line.

The Wildcats only needed 1:25 to score as Akevious Williams hit pay dirt on a 20-yard run to help bring the team to within one point. Bethune-Cookman scored 29 unanswered points to cruise to victory.

Southern University wide receiver Devon Gales was paralyzed from the waist down after suffering an injury during a contest versus Georgia in September 2015. 

On Thursday, Gales shared a video of the progress he's made. 

He can be seen taking steps, with some assistance, in the clip, which is incredible considering he fractured his C6 vertebrae during a kickoff, as Chip Patterson of CBS Sports explained. 

The collision left him hospitalized through February 2016. 

We're all rooting for you, Devon. 

[Instagram]

Authorities charged seven more football players from the Alcorn State Braves with misdemeanors Thursday, bringing the total number of players charged to 18, the Clarion-Ledger's Tyler Cleveland reported.

Cleveland reported Wednesday 11 players were initially arrested in connection with an on-campus brawl last week. 

Below is a list of the 18 players facing charges:

YouTube user LaQuanza Raymond shared video of the fight (Warning: video contains NSFW language):

The university released a statement about the incident, per ESPN.com: "Maintaining a safe and secure campus community is the institution's top priority. Campus police investigate all instances of student misconduct thoroughly and appropriate disciplinary actions are implemented in accordance with Alcorn's student code of conduct."

Cleveland reported the charges "range from malicious mischief to simple assault."

For more news, rumors and related stories about Alcorn State and college football, check out the college football stream on Bleacher Report's app.

Devon Gales, a wide receiver at Southern University, left the team's game against Georgia on Oct. 3 after a head-to-head collision, resulting in a spinal injury.

Southern announced Gales underwent spinal surgery on Oct. 4. 

Continue for updates. 

Gales Undergoes Spinal Surgery

Tuesday, Oct. 6

Southern indicated Gales suffered several neck fractures that were stabilized during his procedure, and while he remains in the hospital, Gales continues to have movement in his upper body. The team also thanked everyone for their support in the statement:

The Gales family, along with interim athletics director Roman Banks and the entire Southern University family, would like to thank Athens General, The University of Georgia and all of the many people who aided in his care during this unfortunate event. We are extremely thankful for all of the prayers and well wishes that Devon has received from many people nationwide.

Also, special thanks to the Georgia football program and Sports Medicine staff for all of their love and support that they have shown Devon during this difficult time.

Due to the overwhelming amount of love shown to them from everyone, the family is asking for privacy at this time. They appreciate and request your continued prayers and thoughts.

If you would like to send cards or well wishes to Devon, please send them to:

SU Athletics:
C/o Devon Gales
PO Box 9942
Baton Rouge, LA 70813

Gales had movement in his hands immediately following the injury, per Laura Rutledge of the SEC Network (h/t Mark Schlabach of ESPN on Sept. 26).

College Football Pays Tribute to Gales

Tuesday, Oct. 6

The Advocate posted a photo of LSU fans showing their support for Gales:

Georgia offered their thoughts and prayers to Gales:

Southern University unveiled its homecoming jerseys, featuring Gales' No. 33, via Chris Hagan of Fox 8 New Orleans: 

Southern's athletic department and the Southern University System Foundation organized the Devon Gales Fund to provide assistance to Gales for medical expenses, per the Associated Press, who also provided comments from Georgia head coach Mark Richt:

"We'll do everything in our power as the Bulldog Nation to bless Devon and his family going through this time. And looking forward to seeing his progress."

A sophomore from Baton Rouge, Gales appeared in 10 games last season and had his first career reception this season in a loss against Louisiana Tech.