“We’re gonna be prepared at a high level to be competitive, not only in the SWAC but nationally and across the country. We’re not here to be an elite SWAC school, we’re here to be a premier, elite FCS program.”

Those were the words Tremaine Jackson used to conclude his first press conference as head coach at Prairie View A&M. His words left an impression across the college football landscape. After all, it’s not every day you hear the head coach of an HBCU set such high expectations. 

While many PVAMU fans welcomed his comments, others accused Jackson of ‘talking big talk’ as they say on ‘The Hill.’

“I get accused of being cocky. It’s not my fault that I really believe what I believe. We get so used to people lying, from car salesmen to politicians, that we begin to act like that,” Jackson said. “But we can’t differentiate when somebody’s genuine. We don’t have the ability to differentiate because we’re so used to people lying in our world.”

Jackson is a genuine person, but he’s not naive. His two previous head coaching positions at NCAA Division II schools, Colorado Mesa and Valdosta State, have given him significant knowledge about what makes a football program successful. He also understands that financial problems aren’t just an issue for HBCUs; they affect every Non-FBS university.

“I had a white president at Valdosta, and we were dealing with the same stuff that every HBCU is dealing with right now,” Jackson said. “It’s not hard to win on the field. You have to find out why you’re losing off the field. What are those things off the field that are making the university unsuccessful? Why are we not like North Dakota State should be the question.”

North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana, Montana State, and several other schools in that region have a financial edge over other FCS programs because they are the leading universities in their state and are not facing competition from powerhouse programs like Texas or Oklahoma for funding.

One reason Jackson chose PVAMU over other offers was the financial support shown by the university administration and supporters.

“I think we now have the largest staff in Prairie View A&M program history,” Jackson said. “We were able to create some positions because I wasn’t coming for a one-for-one and keeping it like it was. I had other opportunities.”

Jackson mentioned that his staff is dividing the scholarship funds to enhance the quality depth of the roster. He recognizes that transforming a high school freshman into a competent college football player requires time, which is not beneficial in a win-now culture.

“I look at where my (scholarship) money is at practice every day,” Jackson said. “If my money is on the sideline and we don’t win, the next coach benefits from coaching him.”

Rather than linking his scholarship funds to freshmen who require development, Jackson relies on the transfer portal, a strategy he has employed as a coach since 2009.

“A player that has been in a college program will always be better than somebody out of high school unless that kid is simply elite,” Jackson said. “But the elite kids aren’t going to schools at this level.”

PVAMU’s increased financial support for the program could yield immediate benefits on the field, as the players will stay on campus during the summer. Providing food and housing for players during the summer demands a considerable financial commitment, but it is essential to compete with the top FCS programs.

The Panthers may not be FCS contenders in 2025, but winning the SWAC West Division is certainly within reach. Jackson will need a few years to build a roster able to compete on a national level, but don't underestimate his potential to transform PVAMU into a powerhouse. He’s a genuine and driven person, and such individuals often find success.