TL;DR
- Southern University interviewed NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for head coach position.
- Faulk, a former NFL MVP, is currently a running backs coach at Colorado.
- Southern previously considered Faulk for the coaching role in 2021.
- A decision on Southern's new head coach is expected after November 29.
Could Southern University be the next HBCU to hire an NFL legend as head coach?
In their quest for a new head football coach, the school has approached a prominent figure, interviewing NFL Hall of Famer and present Colorado assistant Marshall Faulk, as reported by WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge.
Faulk, in his inaugural season as the Buffaloes' running backs coach, is said to have met with Southern officials in Colorado. This marks Faulk's initial coaching role, having joined Deion Sanders' staff prior to the 2025 season, following his 2000 NFL MVP and Super Bowl victory. He joins Sanders and defensive line assistant Warren Sapp as the third Pro Football Hall of Famer on Colorado's coaching team.
Faulk, recognized as one of the NFL's most adaptable players ever, secured three Offensive Player of the Year titles, seven Pro Bowl nods, and six All-Pro distinctions. Prior to his remarkable NFL tenure with The Colts and Rams, he excelled at San Diego State, achieving three first-team All-American selections and finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Southern had previously attempted to hire Faulk. He was considered for the position in 2021 when Dawson Odums departed for Norfolk State, but the university eventually appointed Jason Rollins as interim coach.
Michael Vick recently took over at Norfolk State, along with DeSean Jackson at Delaware State. The former Eagles duo took a similar path to Sanders, who started at Jackson State before heading to Colorado.
Southern has reduced its candidate pool to ten individuals. A hiring decision isn't anticipated before the Bayou Classic game against Grambling on November 29 at the Caesars Superdome.
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