Southern University's new head football coach Marshall Faulk speaks at the press conference held at the Leon R. Tarver II Cultural and Heritage Center on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Aeneas Williams shared a text conversation he had with his former NFL teammate, Marshall Faulk.
"Hey bro, I'll be at the press conference. Thanks for accepting your next assignment," said Williams, a former Southern standout and 14-year NFL defensive back, texted Faulk.
Faulk, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, responded saying: "It's a calling. Now I get to bless some young men and do what all the people who influenced me (did) by teaching and giving them what they need to be successful on and off the field."
Avery Johnson was also in attendance to support his friend's new opportunity. The former Southern great on the basketball court, who played and coached in the NBA, joked that he had never flown to Baton Rouge for a football press conference. He came, however, to see the start of Faulk's leadership at Southern that he believes will lead to tremendous success.
Faulk, a New Orleans native who became a legendary running back, walked into his press conference as Southern's 22nd coach to the sounds of the Human Jukebox, the love of his friends and family and a standing ovation from many members of the school's community.
"For me to have my first head coaching job in this state that gave me everything and provided everything for me as I sent that message to Aeneas, it means to means the world to me to be here," Faulk said. "I cannot have it be any other way."
Two days after Southern (2-10, 1-7 SWAC) beat Grambling 28-27 in the 52nd Bayou Classic, the Faulk era launched.
Athletic director Roman Banks said that the process of filling Southern's coaching vacancy involved several closed-door meetings with the university's board of supervisors. A part of those conversations was centered on how the deciding factors of choosing the next football coach aren't the same as they were five years ago.
"Our third-generation students are not coming to the Bluff because of they uncles, they aunties or they grandparents (came) to play sports anymore," Banks said. "This thing has changed. It's all about facilities and all about what you can give me in money. NIL. So it's not like it used to be when I was 30 pounds lighter playing sports."
Along with obtaining a football mind that can lead Southern players to success on the field, Banks said it's important to have a coach who can "open doors in a variety of ways," referencing meeting with families of prospective players and engaging boosters. Banks didn't shy away from stating that Faulk's new ties to Southern have already had benefits.
"Being able to generate dollars as he's been able to do for me already, y'all," Banks said. "(I've) been able to go and get some phone calls that we've never been able to get to upgrade locker room facilities to make sure we have proper nourishment for our student athletes. So this hire is also about a CEO that can help the athletic (department) take this whole program to another level and help our alums and our supporters to be proud and be able to go get the best student-athlete that we possibly get and graduate them so they can be successful in life."
When it was Faulk's turn to address the crowd, he also didn't shy away from the importance of fundraising and beyond.
"Here's what's going to happen," Faulk said, "we're going to ask for money. But more than money, I need your time. I need you sitting there (at games). I need you there with us. The kids need to see you. They need to feel your presence."
When Faulk spoke with reporters in a different room, he was asked about his ability to impact Southern before coaching a single game.
"However I can lend my name, my image and my likeness to attract the companies, or whatever it is to this institution, whatever I can do to help to fundraise here, I'm gonna do it," Faulk said. "Here's the thing, I look at it as those companies that come in, and they donate money. I want internships, too. I want these kids to have that experience of what the business world is like, because football is not a sport that you can play for the rest of your life."
Faulk was asked what he would tell people who question his hire due to his small amount of experience.
"Nothing," Faulk said. "You know and I know this is my first head coaching job.
"You can't give answers to anything like that. You know it's like anything else, just wait and see. Time will tell."
Faulk's one season as the running backs coach at Colorado is his only coaching experience.
Southern's new leader has had several chats with Colorado coach Deion Sanders, who led Jackson State previously, concerning the next chapter of his life and career. Sanders told Faulk that coaching in the Southwestern Athletic Conference is "challenging, but it's rewarding."
Faulk said he knows there will be parts of his job that will be difficult. He also believes that there is a foundation for a good program that just needs to be rebuilt correctly.
Faulk isn't ready to set expectations for the 2026 season, he said. That answer can't be given until he knows his team. What he did tell fans is that the eventual goal is to win.
"I also understand to whom much is given, much is expected," Faulk said. "There's no fear in me. Winners win. And if you're a winner, then you win ... And at every level, somehow, some way, I found a way to find the win, and that's what we're going to do.
"I look forward to making sure that when you spend your money on the ticket or you invest in this program, that you get your (return on investment). I'm gonna make sure that you get your ROI."