Deion Sanders wins 2021 Eddie Robinson Award
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders was announced as the winner of the Eddie Robinson award, given to coach of the year in the FCS. After being hired in September of 2020, Sanders has completely changed the culture at Jackson State and led the Tigers to a Southwestern Athletic Conference title this season.
Deion Sanders wins Eddie Robinson Award
The Eddie Robinson award is given to the coach of the year among the Division I FCS teams, named for legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson. Sanders was one of 17 finalists for the award and will be honored at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 7.
When Sanders took over the Tigers program, the school had not had a winning season since 2013. Quickly after joining, he instituted a new mantra for the team. “I Believe” became the football programs slogan and has now led them to a SWAC championship.
The Tigers set a school record for wins this season with an 11-1 record with their only loss coming to Louisiana Monroe. Their SWAC title is the school’s first since 2007. Jackson State still has one more game to play after qualifying for the Celebration Bowl, where they will face South Carolina State.
“This is a team effort, it’s a valiant effort, it takes a lot, it does not just take me,” Sanders said about winning the award. “I know it takes a visionary, but people have to really support the vision. And that’s what we did.”
Sander’s son also will receive an award this season for his play on the team. Shedeur Sanders, a freshman quarterback, won the Jerry Rice Award this season as the best freshman in FCS play. An average of 42,293 fans flocked to six home games – a single-season record for an FCS school.
Sanders’ success at Jackson State is quickly becoming another facet of his legendary football career. Already in both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame as a cornerback, Sanders is on the way to becoming a successful coach as well.
Sanders played for Florida State, where he played well enough to be drafted fifth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft. Sanders won two Super Bowls as a player, as well as making eight Pro Bowl appearances.