Here’s what new Southern University head coach Marshall Faulk needs to focus on first

New head football coach Marshall Faulk stepped onto Southern University’s campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Monday with the mission to revive a Jaguars football program on its fourth head coach since 2021.

Faulk’s introductory news conference brought early excitement from Southern fans and alumni, including former NBA player Avery Johnson and Aeneas Williams, Faulk’s former NFL teammate on the then-St. Louis Rams.

In his speech, Faulk detailed his excitement to build and develop young men at the historically Black university, as well as his expectations to bring a winning mentality to the program.

“There’s no fear in me. Winners win. That’s it. And if you’re a winner, then you win. You go out and do what you do,” Faulk said. “At every level, somehow, some way, I found a way to find the win, and that’s what we’re going to do [here].”

In his 12-year NFL career, Faulk retired with 12,279 rushing yards, 6,875 receiving yards and 136 total touchdowns, becoming one of the most versatile offensive weapons in league history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

After spending this season at Colorado as a running backs coach, the New Orleans native has returned to his home state to begin the next chapter of his football legacy.

Southern finished the 2025 season with a 2-10 overall record (1-7 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference). The Jaguars were outscored 433-223, and only two of their losses were by a single possession. Southern finished second to last in the SWAC in scoring offense and defense. The Jaguars also were the second-most penalized team in the conference, giving up 857 penalty yards, and had the fewest minutes in time of possession in the conference.

Here’s a priority list for what Faulk needs to focus on in his first season as head coach.

1. Create a local recruiting pipeline

As a New Orleans native, Faulk is familiar with the high level of high school talent in Southern’s backyard. With the early signing period starting Wednesday, Faulk must move quickly to build a roster, and while the transfer portal is an appealing option, his deepest advantage lies in his homegrown roots. Baton Rouge produces elite players every year, and powerhouse New Orleans programs such as Edna Karr and Faulk’s own G.W. Carver High School are overflowing with athletes who could thrive at Southern.

Southern’s addition this season of former LSU running back Trey Holly shows the potential impact of keeping top local talent in the city. With coaching changes at both LSU and Tulane, Faulk may be entering the perfect recruiting window. If he can assemble a strong staff swiftly and hit the recruiting trail with urgency, Faulk has a real chance to pull high-level talent that might otherwise leave the state.

2. Change the culture at Southern

In one season, Southern went from SWAC West champions to the bottom of the conference standings. Most Southern fans would argue the Jaguars won the game that mattered most to their fan base, their 28-27 victory over Grambling State at the Bayou Classic on Saturday. But winning only two games in 2025 after winning eight in 2024 shows Southern is in desperate need of a cultural reset.

If the Jaguars hope to compete for the SWAC title next season and return to Celebration Bowl contention, Faulk must reestablish a tough and disciplined ideology built around dominating the line of scrimmage and finishing strong.

3. Add coaching experience

Faulk has the rare privilege of walking into a Division I coaching job with only one season of collegiate coaching on his résumé, so an early priority will be assembling a coaching staff with both DI and professional experience.

Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson, who transformed the Hornets in one year, hired former NFL running back Clinton Portis and former Cleveland Browns analyst Nyema Washington to his staff, offering a blueprint of how surrounding yourself with former NFL players and experienced coaches can be the difference-maker on the field. Deion Sanders followed a similar pattern, hiring former NFL players such as Dennis Thurman at Jackson State and later Faulk at Colorado. Now, Faulk has the same opportunity to tap into his own network and bring more experienced coaches and NFL alumni to Baton Rouge.

4. Consult NFL mentors

From Eddie George to Sanders to Jackson and now Faulk, the pipeline of former NFL players turned HBCU head coaches is strong. Despite Faulk’s strong NFL pedigree of trucking defenders as a player, as a first-time head coach, he will need help. Mentorship from those who already have navigated HBCU football bureaucracy will be crucial to Faulk’s tenure at Southern.

Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. regularly consulted with then Tennessee State head coach George while making the transition. After accepting their respective head coaching positions, Norfolk State head coach Mike Vick and Jackson each spoke with Sanders, who remains one of the most successful examples of an NFL player transitioning into HBCU coaching over the last decade. Faulk has the pedigree to lead Southern, but embracing the lessons of those who’ve walked this road before him could be the difference between success and failure during his first year.

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