News Summary
Delaware State University has bolstered its football coaching staff by hiring former Savannah State coaches Jonas Jackson and Thomas Sims to lead the Hornets’ defensive line. This comes alongside a thrilling victory against Albany, marking a pivotal moment under head coach DeSean Jackson. After a lengthy home opener filled with weather delays, Delaware State secured a hard-fought 37-32 win, snapping an 11-game losing streak. Quarterback Kaiden Bennett and running back Marquis Gillis were standout performers, helping the team move forward in its season strategy.
Dover, Delaware – Delaware State University has strengthened its football coaching staff with the addition of former Savannah State University coaches, Jonas Jackson and Thomas Sims. Both coaches will take charge of the Hornets’ defensive line as the team continues to build on its strategy for the season.
Jonas Jackson previously served as the defensive line coach at Prairie View A&M for three years before returning to Delaware State, where he coached the defensive line during the 2020-21 seasons. His career at Savannah State included multiple roles from 2012 to 2018, such as defensive line coach, special teams coordinator, and recruiting coordinator.
Meanwhile, Thomas Sims transitions to Delaware State after spending the past season as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Wayne State. Sims also has experience at Savannah State, where he was involved in similar coaching roles from 2018 to 2021, including as the defensive line coach and later as defensive coordinator.
In addition to the coaching changes, the Hornets secured a significant victory under the guidance of head coach DeSean Jackson. Jackson, a former NFL player who took over as Delaware State’s head coach, achieved his first win on September 6, 2025, during a challenging home opener against Albany.
The game turned out to be a marathon, lasting a total of 7.5 hours due to two weather delays caused by lightning and heavy rains. Despite an intense battle on the field, Delaware State managed to edge out Albany with a final score of 37-32. This marked a crucial moment in Jackson’s inaugural season.
The Hornets trailed behind Albany until late in the game, when Albany scored a go-ahead touchdown with just under five minutes remaining. However, Delaware State’s quarterback, Kaiden Bennett, rallied the team and scored a game-winning touchdown on a 27-yard run with only 34 seconds left on the clock. Bennett demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the game, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for a total of 179 yards with 17 completions on 27 attempts.
Another key player, running back Marquis Gillis, added to the team’s success with a notable performance, achieving 163 rushing yards on 28 carries and scoring one touchdown. As a team, Delaware State accumulated an impressive 436 rushing yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, showcasing their offensive strength.
This win also snapped an 11-game losing streak for Delaware State, a significant morale booster for the team as they strive to improve in their season. The Hornets now hold a record of 1-1 and are set to host Bowie State in their next game on September 13, 2025.
Following the victory, Jackson praised his team’s resilience and ability to overcome the lengthy weather delays, emphasizing their preparation and strong mindset which contributed to their hard-fought success on the field.
The recent coaching changes and the win appear to mark a new chapter for Delaware State football as they aim to build a competitive program moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- HBCU Sports: DeSean Jackson’s First Coaching Win
- Sports Illustrated: Vick and Jackson Lead Delaware State
- WTOP: DeSean Jackson’s First Win as Head Coach
- NCAA: DeSean Jackson Named Head Coach of Delaware State
- Times Union: UAlbany Faces Delaware State Led by DeSean Jackson
- Wikipedia: Delaware State University
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