Ex-Knick Charlie Ward continues new(ish) coaching trend at HBCU

(Part 1 of a two-part story)

- By TONY PAIGE Special to the AmNews

Former NBA player Charlie Ward is now leading Florida A&M University's basketball program. (Florida A&M Athletics photo)

(Florida A&M Athletics photo)

When Deion “Prime Time” Sanders started his coaching career by becoming the head football coach at Jackson State University in Mississippi, many thought it was a revolutionary concept.

How many Black professional athletes have become head coaches at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)? You might be surprised.

“Coach Prime” parlayed his stint at Jackson State to success at Division-1 University of Colorado, coaching his quarterback son Shedeur and last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter.

Sanders is far from alone in making the transition from player to head coach. Right now, the list of former players coaching at HBCU schools is quite impressive:

• Michael Vick, a former All-Pro NFL quarterback, is now the head coach at Norfolk State (VA).

• DeSean Jackson, a 17-year NFL wide receiver, is running the program at Delaware State.