Delaware
Eagles great DeSean Jackson explains why he is taking over as Delaware State head coach
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Former Eagles star wide receiver DeSean Jackson is taking on a new challenge as Delaware State’s head football coach, the school announced Friday.
Jackson, who is 38, spent 15 seasons in the NFL. That included two stints with the Eagles from 2008-13 and 2019-20. Jackson was named to the Pro Bowl three times and is third in Eagles history with 6,512 receiving yards.
But Jackson was unceremoniously released by former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly in the spring of 2014, coming off Jackson’s best season in the NFL when he had 82 receptions for 1,332 yards. He was signed right away by Washington, and spent the next three seasons there. Jackson had some of his best games against the Eagles during that time.
Jackson is taking over for Lee Hull, who was fired after compiling a 2-21 record, 0-10 in the MEAC in his two seasons. Jackson, who finished his NFL playing career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, spent this past season as wide receivers coach and punt return specialist for Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California.
But Jackson said in a statement released by Delaware State that he wanted to get into coaching at an HBCU.
“HBCUs have much to be proud of in creating a more representative America,” Jackson said. “But that story is not simply a historical one. It continues to be written and includes the elevation of HBCU scholars and scholar athletes in every field of human endeavor.
“The opportunity for me to help write another chapter here at DSU is a once-in-a-lifetime moment consistent with my journey as a young boy finding his way to manhood through mentorship, accountability, achievement, and discipline. If we build that kind of culture at Delaware State University, we will attract the right talent and radically change the trajectory of this program.
“I cannot wait to get started.”
Jackson joins a recent surge in former NFL stars beginning their coaching careers at HBCUs. That includes Jackson’s former quarterback with the Eagles in Michael Vick, who earlier this month became the head coach at fellow MEAC school Norfolk State.
For DSU, Jackson’s hire should excite a recruiting base in the Philadelphia-Delaware-Baltimore corridor while bringing a prominent name and attention to a Hornets program that has had just one winning season since a 10-2 record in 2007.
“DeSean Jackson is a perfect fit for our institution − incredibly competitive, optimistic about the prospects for our collective future, and focused on the fundamentals of the institution: students first,” new DSU athletic director Tony Tucker said in a statement.
Jackson continues to hold the record for most 60-plus and 80-plus yard catches in NFL history. In addition to the Eagles, Ravens and Washington, Jackson also played for the Los Angeles Rams, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jackson is originally from the Los Angeles area, and he got a ringing endorsement from his uncle, who happens to be Delaware State star receiver John Taylor, who teamed with Jerry Rice and Joe Montana on the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl dynasty in the 1980s.
“Having played football for many different coaches throughout my career, each one has added a unique dynamic to my game. I’m excited to see the new direction Coach Jackson will take the team. His vision and leadership are sure to bring fresh energy and opportunities for growth,” Taylor said in a statement.
Jackson also got an endorsement from former Eagles coach Andy Reid, who drafted Jackson in the second round of 2008 out of Cal-Berkeley.
“DeSean is like a son to me − a fierce competitor on the field, without rival, and a quality leader off of it,” said Reid, now the Kansas City Chiefs’ coach. “I could not be more supportive of his desire to coach Division I football and would stake my career on his success at Delaware State University.
“We are bound at the hip and are forever family. I cannot wait to see where he takes the university and where the university takes him. This is a win-win for everyone, particularly the young men that get to learn from him and the incredible staff he will assemble − many football aficionados who have been with him since the very beginning.”
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @MFranknfl.
Thursday, May 7, 2026 9:09PM
WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — A third victim has died following a March shooting in Wilmington, Delaware.
Police identified her on Thursday as 37-year-old Gina Tiberi.
She was one of four people shot when a gunman opened fire on North Adams Street on the afternoon of March 24.
A 19-year-old and a 21-year-old died shortly after the shooting.
Tiberi was initially critically wounded along with a 36-year-old man.
Authorities have not announced any arrests or a possible motive.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Brendan Shea at (302) 576-3649.
You can also provide information to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Tip-3333 or Delawarecrimestoppers.com
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
John Williams from ‘Star Wars’ hops on album by Delaware’s Calidore
The Calidore String Quartet, from University of Delaware, landed iconic “Star Wars” composer John Williams on their 2026 album “American Tapestry.”
A Delaware bill creating a film production tax credit cleared its first hurdle May 6, advancing out of the House Revenue & Finance Committee.
Several states offer film and television production tax credits and other incentives to lure projects, often to boost jobs, tourism and visibility.
Delaware does not – at least for now.
The proposal mirrors a recommendation in Delaware’s 5% operational spending growth and accompanying revenue plan, released alongside Gov. Matt Meyer’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, and would put the state in line with most of the country.
What does the bill do?
Backed by House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, this House bill would create a new film production tax credit for the First State.
Delaware remains one of a few states that does not already have a film tax credit or a similar incentive in place, according to the Dover Democrat.
This means that spending in these sectors – from hotel stays to equipment rentals – is going to other states.
And while other revenue streams have served and continue to serve Delaware well, Harris said, it is also crucial to ensure the state is positioned “for the next generation of economic growth.”
The bill would offer eligible productions – including films, TV shows and video games — a nonrefundable tax credit equal to 30% of qualified expenses, usable against personal income and corporate taxes.
To qualify, companies must show their activities resulted in expenditures more than $500,000 during any consecutive 12-month period. They must also present opportunities to Delawareans to come onboard projects as interns.
Companies must also obtain “an independent audit” out of their own pockets, authenticating eligible expenses. These expenses can include any cost tied back to production, pre-production or post-production that took place within state lines.
These credits would also be transferrable – so long as they are approved by the state Division of Small Business – and can be extended for upwards of five years.
This bill mirrors a similar proposal included in a presented 5% operational spending growth and adjoining revenue plan.
The plan set aside up to $10 million in new revenue for a film tax credit to spur Delaware’s creative economy, though the actual cost would depend on how many productions apply.
Should this bill become law, the state will have a similar cap at $10 million every year, according to Harris.
This isn’t the first time lawmakers have seen this legislation.
In the hours before last year’s session ended, state Rep. Michael Smith backed a bill that would also establish a film tax credit for Delaware.
Also known as the Delaware Entertainment Job Act, the bill would have also established a 30%, “transferable tax credit for an investment in the state” for qualified productions.
Like its legislative relative, the bill would have required productions to bring First State residents as interns to qualify for this credit, as well as produce an audit of expenditures once production has wrapped.
Doing this, the bill argued, would spur job creation, artistic ventures and investment in the media industry.
The bill was also assigned to the House Revenue & Finance Committee, but did not advance. Smith signed on as a co-prime sponsor of this latest bill, according to Harris.
Former Rep. Valerie Longhurst introduced a near-verbatim measure to Smith’s bill back in 2022, but it did not make it all the way through the House.
What do lawmakers, Delawareans think?
For the most part, committee members were receptive to the bill.
Rep. Kendra Johnson was enthusiastic about the bill, asking to come on board as a co-signer of the bill.
She pointed to the HBO crime drama series “Task,” whose entire second season is scheduled to be filmed entirely in southeastern Pennsylvania, starting July 6.
Delaware’s neighbor state was reportedly investing $49.8 million into the project – the largest tax credit bestowed by the state to a single production, as reported by WHYY last year.
The projection is also set to create 3,700 jobs and infuse $194.1 million back into its economy.
Pennsylvania’s current tax credit program offers a 25% to 30% credit to productions that spend no lesser than 60% of their total funds within state lines.
“Imagine the economic growth that is happening there, that could be happening here,” Johnson told the panel.
Others have thrown their support behind bringing a film tax credit to Delaware.
Meyer is one such advocate. He mentioned during his State of the State address that Delaware not offering film tax credits made no sense, considering the latest Superman movie is “literally set” in the First State.
“They should be shooting here,” he said. “We’re just going to let so many other neighboring states soak up all of that Hollywood money?”
Other groups, including the Delaware Arts Alliance and the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association, have also thrown their support behind the bill, Harris said.
What happens now?
The bill will continue to move through the House.
If signed into law, it would take effect starting July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year.
But lawmakers will need to move quickly – they only have until June 30 to have it passed in both chambers. Otherwise, they’ll need to start all over again come next session.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
What to do if you come across a serious car accident
What to do if you come across a serious car accident
A 34-year-old Newark motorcyclist has died following an evening crash May 5 in Ogletown, Delaware State Police said.
The motorcyclist’s name was withheld by police on May 6 until his family could be notified.
The Ogletown crash is one of six fatalities that have plagued officials across the state since May 4, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation. Officials added that between the night of May 5 into the morning of May 6, was the deadliest 12 hours on Delaware roads in nearly six years.
“It’s certainly alarming to have more than 15% of our total fatalities to date this year happen over the past four days,” C.R. McLeod, a DelDOT spokesman, told Delaware Online/The News Journal.
Other fatal crashes that occurred in that 12-hour span include:
- A motorcycle crash in Stanton that left a 29-year-old Wilmington man dead when he ran a red light and his Harley-Davidson Sportster struck a Nissan Rogue at the Churchmans Road intersection with Center Pointe Plaza about 7:20 p.m. May 5, Delaware State Police said.
- A crash in Dover that killed a 26-year-old woman who struck a tree about 1 a.m. May 6, Dover police said.
- A 23-year-old Millsboro woman was killed when she failed to navigate a curve on Coastal Highway north of Lewes about 1:30 a.m. May 6, Delaware State Police said.
As of May 6, DelDOT was reporting 38 traffic fatalities on Delaware roads – a 27% jump from last year at the same time.
Ogletown crash
As the man was riding a Honda CBR east on Christiana Road toward Harmony Road, police said, an Audi Q5 was turning left from westbound Christiana Road into McIntosh Plaza.
For reasons still under investigation, the Honda struck the Audi’s passenger side about 6 p.m., police said. This caused the motorcyclist to be ejected.
The motorcyclist was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Audi’s driver, a 37-year-old Bear man, did not report any injuries, police said.
Troopers are asking anyone with information about the Ogletown crash to contact investigators at (302) 365-8483. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
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