Former NFL player Clinton Portis takes on running backs coach role with DeSean Jackson at Delaware State.

DOVER, Del. — Clinton Portis, a notable former NFL running back who amassed nearly 10,000 rushing yards throughout his nine seasons in the league and earned Pro Bowl honors twice, has been appointed as DeSean Jackson’s running backs coach and run game coordinator at Delaware State.

The Hornets made the announcement of Portis’ hiring via their social media platforms on Thursday. He joins a growing roster of ex-NFL stars taking coaching roles at historically Black colleges and universities, including former athletes like Michael Vick, now the head coach at Norfolk State, and Eddie George, who is coaching at Tennessee State. Notably, Deion Sanders previously coached at Jackson State before moving to Colorado.

Portis, who was a member of the University of Miami’s 2001 national championship team, made a significant impact in the NFL by being named the 2002 Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,508 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns while with the Denver Broncos. His career transitioned to the Washington Football Team in 2004, where he enjoyed four seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards before his release following the 2010 season.

In 2022, Portis was sentenced to six months in federal prison and another six months in home confinement due to his involvement in a healthcare fraud conspiracy. He was one of 15 former NFL players charged with defrauding a program intended to reimburse medical expenses for retired players and their families that were not covered by insurance.

This appointment signifies a notable return for Portis to football, as he will now play a mentorship role for aspiring athletes at Delaware State, aiming to guide them as they navigate both their athletic and educational journeys.