The Sacramento State head coaching job is officially open, and the early buzz is already turning heads - especially with a few NFL names in the mix. Among them? DeSean Jackson, the former Philadelphia Eagles star and one of the most electrifying playmakers of his era, is reportedly a candidate to take over the Hornets program.
Jackson, who recently helped turn around the Delaware State program, is being floated as a potential hire to replace Brennan Marion, who left Sacramento State to join Deion Sanders’ staff at Colorado. That move created a vacancy at a program that’s been a consistent contender in the FCS, and now the Hornets are looking to make another splash.
Jackson’s candidacy makes sense on multiple levels. First, he’s no stranger to the region.
He made his name in college just down the road at Cal, where his speed and big-play ability made him a household name in Northern California. That local connection could be a major asset on the recruiting trail - especially in an area rich with high school and junior college talent.
But Jackson isn’t the only big name being linked to the job. Former Stanford head coach Troy Taylor is also reportedly back in the mix.
Taylor had a dominant run at Sacramento State before heading to Palo Alto, going 30-8 overall and an eye-popping 23-1 in Big Sky Conference play. His return would be a homecoming of sorts - and would bring instant credibility to a program looking to stay near the top of the FCS.
Another name to watch: Carter, who’s spent the past two seasons in Tucson. He’s got deep roots in Northern California, having coached at the high school and junior college levels in the Bay Area.
He also made his mark as the running backs coach at San Jose State, playing a key role during the Spartans’ 2020 Mountain West title run. That kind of regional familiarity and recruiting experience could make him a strong fit for the Hornets.
And while it’s not the first time a former Eagle has been linked to this job - Michael Vick was reportedly in the running for the role in 2024 before ultimately taking the Norfolk State job - Jackson’s name carries a different kind of weight. His ties to the area, his recent success at the HBCU level, and his profile as a former NFL star could make him a compelling hire for a program looking to keep its momentum rolling.
Sacramento State has options - and they’re intriguing ones. Whether they go with a proven FCS winner like Taylor, a rising coach with local ties like Carter, or a high-profile name like Jackson, the Hornets are positioning themselves to make a hire that could shape the next chapter of their football story.