{"id":3176,"date":"2022-03-16T08:37:34","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T12:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firstandpen.com\/staging\/5861\/?p=3176"},"modified":"2022-03-22T08:14:53","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T12:14:53","slug":"deion-sanders-jackson-state-tigers-leaving-southern-heritage-classic-is-sad-but-understandable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firstandpen.com\/staging\/5861\/deion-sanders-jackson-state-tigers-leaving-southern-heritage-classic-is-sad-but-understandable\/","title":{"rendered":"Deion Sanders, JSU Leaving The Southern Heritage Classic Is Sad But Understandable"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Deion Sanders became Jackson State’s head football coach in September of 2020, both the program and the country were in states of uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pandemic had shut the country down for six months, and many universities delayed the start of their fall season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That year, Sanders led the Tigers to a 4-3 record. It was an improvement from JSU’s 2019 record of 4-8 and a sign of good things to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, Sanders led the team to a regular-season record of 11-1 and a Celebration Bowl appearance. There, unfortunately, they were mauled by South Carolina State, 31-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Primetime had firmly secured his presence in Mississippi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More importantly, his efforts garnered renewed attention for HBCU programs<\/a>, resulting in an influx of money and former NFL talent including Eddie George at Tennessee State<\/a> and, more recently, Hue Jackson at Grambling State<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sanders also attracted talent to his program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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