Sources: Marshall Faulk, a Pro and College Football Hall of Famer, Set to Take Over as Head Coach at Southern University
- By Adam Rittenberg, College Football Reporter
Nov 26, 2025, 08:32 PM ET
In a surprising turn of events, sources have confirmed to ESPN that Marshall Faulk, the renowned running backs coach at the University of Colorado, is expected to become the head coach at Southern University, an HBCU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Faulk, a native of New Orleans, is set to return to his home state after his first season coaching college football under Deion Sanders.
Faulk's impressive career in the NFL, including being named NFL MVP in 2000 and NFL Offensive Player of the Year three times, along with his seven Pro Bowl appearances, makes him a strong candidate for the role. With 12,279 career rushing yards and 100 touchdowns, Faulk was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. His college football credentials are equally impressive, having been a two-time All-America running back at San Diego State and entering the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Faulk's decision to enter college coaching was not an easy one. In an interview with ESPN, he revealed that he had been offered jobs in the past, but it was Deion Sanders' influence that convinced him to take the leap. Faulk spent time as an analyst for the NFL Network until 2017, and his dedication to the game is evident in his statement, "I put crazy hours in when I played, like player and coach's hours in, to become the student of the game that I was."
Southern University, which fired coach Terrence Graves last month after a 1-6 start, is looking to turn its fortunes around with Faulk's leadership. The team will face Kansas State on Saturday, as Colorado concludes its season.
WAFB television first reported the expected hire of Faulk by Southern University.
