Marshall Faulk has revealed that he has Parkinson's disease and says catching it early has made all the difference.
The Southern University head coach opened up about his diagnosis on The Caring Neurologist podcast with Dr. Sandeep Thakkar, an episode released Wednesday, Oct.
- Faulk, 53, said he has been living with the condition for about 18 months and explained that medication, more physical activity and better sleep have helped him stay on top of it.
His first clue came in a place where he least expected it: on the golf course. What he thought might just be nerves while putting began showing up in situations where nerves didn’t really fit anymore.
"I just thought it was normal nerves when putting and stuff like that," Faulk said. "But it started to be times where I wasn't playing, I mean, where I was playing, but I wasn't in a match, and it would still do that."
Eventually, Faulk brought the issue to a doctor, who pushed him toward more testing. That led to the diagnosis he now manages while balancing life and coaching duties.
Faulk said he didn’t react with panic.
"I didn't look at it like I got a diagnosis, it was something bad that I was, you know, life was going to end," Faulk said. "Now, if you don't take care of it, there's an opportunity for that to be, but you have to take care of it."
He added that treatment has made a real difference.
"And since I've started on the medication, I don't really have a lot of issues," he said.
Faulk also said he has changed his habits, becoming more active and sleeping more since starting treatment. Even with the diagnosis, he said his everyday routine has stayed mostly the same, and he feels fortunate the condition was identified when it was.
His comments carried a clear message: don’t brush off changes in your health. Faulk urged people to pay attention to symptoms, get checked by medical professionals and pursue the right treatment. He also told listeners to "go beyond your resources" when looking for help, including searching outside their immediate area for care.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can bring tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and balance issues. Symptoms and how they progress can vary from person to person. While there is no cure, medications and other therapies can help manage symptoms and support quality of life.
Faulk's appearance on the podcast came during his first season as Southern’s head coach in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Southern introduced him on Dec. 1, 2025, after he spent a season as running backs coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders.
The New Orleans native took over a program that went 2-10 overall and 1-7 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play in 2025. Southern is now 3-4 overall and 1-2 in SWAC competition, with Texas Southern next on the schedule Saturday, Oct. 24, at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The Jaguars finish the regular season Nov. 28 against Grambling State in the 53rd Bayou Classic at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Faulk has continued in his role while managing the disease, and his football résumé still speaks for itself. A former San Diego State standout, he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, spent 12 seasons with the Colts and St.
Louis Rams, and became a centerpiece of the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" offense. He helped St.
Louis win Super Bowl XXXIV and was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player after the 2000 season before retiring after 2005 as one of the league's most productive dual-threat backs.
The Caring Neurologist says its podcast is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. People seeking information about Parkinson's disease, treatment options or specialist referrals can contact the Parkinson's Foundation helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).
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