HBCU Football Head Coach Tracker: Latest Updates & Key Changes

Tracking the latest firing, hirings, and rumors in the head football searches in HBCU football for 2024.

HBCU Football Head Coach Tracker / Credit: HBCU Legends

Several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have recently appointed new head football coaches for the upcoming 2025 season.  

Here's an overview of the new coaches at the specified institutions:

Michael Vick -Norfolk State Head Coach / Credit: Norfolk State Athletics

Norfolk State - Michael Vick

Michael Vick, former NFL quarterback and four-time Pro Bowl selection, has been named the 19th head football coach at Norfolk State University.  

Vick, a native of Newport News, Virginia, brings his extensive playing experience and name recognition to the program. This marks Vick's first collegiate coaching position.

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Desean Jackson - Delaware State / Credit; DSU Athletics

Delaware State - Desean Jackson

DeSean Jackson, former NFL wide receiver and three-time Pro Bowler, has been appointed the new head football coach at Delaware State University.  

Jackson, who played 15 seasons in the NFL, will take on his first coaching role at the collegiate level. His hiring is part of Delaware State's renewed commitment to athletic transformation.

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Shawn Gibbs / Credit: NC A&T Athletics

North Carolina A&T - Shawn Gibbs

Shawn Gibbs has been named the new head football coach at North Carolina A&T. Gibbs is returning to A&T, where he spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach from 2011-2021.  

He developed notable players like Tarik Cohen during his previous tenure. Gibbs comes to A&T after three successful seasons as head coach at Fort Valley State University, where he compiled a 20-9 record.

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Tremaine Jackson - Prairie View A&M / Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends

Prairie View A&M - Tremaine Jackson

Tremaine Jackson has been appointed as the new head football coach at Prairie View A&M University, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Jackson arrives at PVAMU after a successful stint at Valdosta State University.   

He led the team to a 30-9 record over three seasons, including an undefeated regular season in 2024. Jackson was named the AFCA Division II National Coach of the Year for his achievements.

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Terrell Buckley - Head Coach - Mississippi Valley State University / Credit; MSVU, Imagn

Mississippi Valley State - Terrell Buckley

Terrell Buckley, a College Football Hall of Famer and former NFL player, has been named the new head football coach at Mississippi Valley State University.  

Buckley brings extensive experience as a player and coach, including a Super Bowl win with the New England Patriots and coaching stints at various universities. His most recent coaching experience was as head coach of the XFL's Orlando Guardians in 2023.

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Sam Shade - Alabama A&M Head Coach / Credit: Alabama A&M Athletics

Alabama A&M - Sam Shade

Sam Shade has been introduced as the 22nd head football coach at Alabama A&M University. Shade comes to Alabama A&M after a successful tenure at Miles College, where he compiled an 18-15 overall record and led the team to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) crown in 2024.  

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Lamar Manigo - Shaw / Credit: Shaw Athletics

Shaw University - Lamar Manigo

Lamar Manigo has been appointed as the new head football coach at Shaw University. He is returning to Shaw, where he served as the offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2021.

Most recently, he worked as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach at Virginia State University, where he helped lead the team to the 2024 CIAA championship game.

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Coach Chris Goode / Credit: Miles College Athletics

Miles College - Chris Goode

Miles College has named Chris Goode its new head football coach, effective January 2025. He replaces Sam Shade, who left to take over the Alabama A&M program.  

Last season, the Golden Bears were 10-3, won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title, and won their first-ever NCAA Division II Playoff game.   

Goode played in the National Football League for the Indianapolis Colts from 1987 to 1993.

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Coach Kenny Ray - Fort Valley State / Fort Valley State Atletics

Fort Valley State - Kenny Ray (Interim)

Ray is the interim coach after the departure of Shawn Gibbs to NC A&T. He has been with the Wildcat program since February 2020, serving as the associate head coach, offensive line coach, and run game coordinator.

Adrian Jones - Elizabeth City University Head Football Coach / Credit: ECU Athletics

Elizabeth City State - Adrian Jones

Adrian Jones has been named the 15th head football coach at Elizabeth City State University. Jones comes to ECSU after serving as head coach at Shaw University for eight seasons.  

He brings experience from collegiate and high school levels, including multiple conference championships and a state championship at Southern Durham High School.

Florida Memorial (In Progress)

The university athletics department announced the leadership change away from Coach Bobby Rome, II. He led the program for three seasons with a 15-15-1 record.

Central State (In Progress)

After parting ways with Coach Kevin Porter, the Mauraders are searching for a new head coach.

Lane College (In Progress)

Lane is still in the process of hiring a new head football coach. Tommie Lewis is the interim head football coach, and the search continues. The college aims to have a new coach before the 2025 Football Season.

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2024 HBCU Coaching Tracker / Credit: HBCU Gameday, Chron.com, NSU, AAMU, DSU, MSVU, NCAT Athletics

ICYMI: OPENINGS BEFORE THE HIRES

HOUSTON - As the curtain falls on the 2024 college football season, several HBCUs search for new head coaches. Last season brought about significant changes with a flurry of new hires. This season will give us a new wave of leadership to land on the shores of the SWAC, MEAC, SIAC, and CIAA.

While some alumni and fans have welcomed the firings of these coaches, others are quietly protesting the decisions. Athletic directors and administrators' jobs are on the line. Finding the "right candidate" to develop their student-athletes and football programs is a challenging process.

Hence, some institutions are turning to executive search firms for assistance and forgoing establishing an internal search committee for the hiring process. For example, Prairie View A&M's director of athletics, Anton Goff, confirmed with HBCU Legends the Panthers have retained Collegiate Sports Associates to locate their new head football coach.

Aug 29, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina A&T Aggies head coach Vincent Brown during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

North Carolina A&T University

North Carolina A&T swiftly hired Shawn Gibbs after former head coach Vincent Brown produced two wins in his first couple of seasons with the Aggies. Gibbs is a wise hire. He spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach with the A&T and developed the 2025 MEAC Hall of Famer, Tarik Cohen. Gibbs, 49, had three winning seasons with a 20-9 record at Fort Valley State. He understands the Aggie culture and brings a fresh approach to the program.

Prairie View head coach Bubba McDowell against Alabama State during their game at Hornet Stadium on the ASU campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday September 24, 2022. Asup48 / Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View A&M University announced on Nov. 24, 2024, that it would not renew the contract of head football coach Bubba McDowell. He had been with the Panthers program as an assistant for many years, but Goff decided not to renew his contract after three seasons as head coach.

Goff expressed appreciation for McDowell's dedication to the success of the student-athletes but emphasized the university's goal of elevating the football program to a higher level within the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Aug 31, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama A&M Bulldogs head coach Connell Maynor looks on during a game against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images / John Reed-Imagn Images

Alabama A&M University

On Dec. 2, 2024, Alabama A&M University relieved head coach Connell Maynor of his duties after seven seasons. Maynor's tenure, which began in 2018, included a SWAC Championship in Spring 2021. However, recent struggles, including a 15-19 record since 2022, led to a change in leadership.

Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University announced a change in leadership for its football program on Nov. 26, 2024, relieving head coach Dawson Odums of his duties. Odums, who joined Norfolk State in 2021, finished his tenure with a 15-31 overall record.

Shaw University

Shaw University fired Adrian Jones as head football coach on Dec. 3, 2024, after nine seasons with the program. Jones accumulated a 35-45 overall record and a 29-28 conference record during his time with the Bears.

Mississippi Valley State University

Mississippi Valley State University parted ways with head coach Kendrick Wade after two seasons on Dec. 4, 2024. Despite a historic upset victory over Florida A&M, Wade's overall record of 2-21 led to the university's decision to seek new leadership.

Delaware State University

On Dec. 3, 2024, Delaware State University fired head coach Lee Hull after registering a 2-21 record (0-10 MEAC). The Hornets also reported, "Dr. Alecia Shields Gadson will step down as the University's athletic director to pursue new opportunities at the end of the year."

Elizabeth City State

Interim head coach and defensive coordinator David Castillo took over the program after terminating the contract of former head coach Marcus Hilliard in November after leading the Vikings for three seasons. Hilliard, an ESCU alum, posted an 8-22 record as head coach.

Lane College

On Nov. 15, the Dragons started looking for a new head coach after Vyron Brown resigned as the leader of the football program after three seasons.  Lane reported, "Tommie Lewis Jr. will serve as interim head coach while Lane conducts a national search for its next full-time head coach."

The upcoming weeks and months will be critical for HBCUs as they work to fill key positions and determine the future direction of their football programs. The first National Signing Day has passed, players have entered the NCAA transfer portal, and recruiting efforts are highly competitive at this stage.  

HBCU football fans and supporters are closely watching the next steps of the athletic directors and administrators as they seek to hire new head coaches for these storied programs.

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