Jackson State names John Hendrick as head coach

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher 

Jackson State has made John Hendrick the permanent head coach. He finished the season as the interim head coach. 

He is now the 20th head coach in school history. The school informed the players earlier this week that he was going to be the head coach. 

He took over the program on Oct. 27th. Former head coach Tony Hughes was informed following the 41-7 loss to Southern that his contract would not be renewed. 

Hendrick then guided the team to two wins in its last three games. Jackson State had its first winning season since 2013. 

“As I said in there I didn’t take the interim title to get this job,” Hendrick said. “My whole thought process was to finish right what Coach (Tony Hughes) started but as I got into it and started coaching the players and they started responding I started wanting it more and more because I thought we could do more.”

Prior to being named interim head coach, he was the team’s defensive coordinator. 

Hendrick has been a coach for the last 36-years. He has worked with 14 different staffs. 

He was previously the Benedict College head coach in Columbia, South Carolina. He went 18-25 as their head coach. 

“John Hendrick is a veteran who has proven his ability to provide the type of leadership that is required for our football program,” Athletic Director Ashley Robinson said.