When the Lincoln University Lions football team takes the field at Virginia State University on Saturday, it will be more than just a game between two conference divisional rivals. It will be a family reunion with Lions Head Coach Josh Dean and his younger brother Jaylon Dean (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Creek) on the Lincoln side and the Dean brothers father Vernon Dean on the Virginia State sideline.
The elder Dean is in his second season as the defensive backs coach for the Trojans while his sons are in their first season at Lincoln with Jaylon playing tight end under his older brother Josh who last week earned his first win as the Lions Head Coach, defeating Elizabeth City State University.
Vernon and Josh both attended San Diego State University and both played professional in the National Football League. Vernon Dean spent seven seasons in the league and was part of two Washington Redskins Super Bowl Championship teams in 1982 and 1987. He had his finest year in 1984 when he recorded seven interceptions and scored two touchdowns as a cornerback.
Josh, a defensive back in college went on to play for the Chicago Bears in the NFL and the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe.
The similarities between father and son continued as both entered the coaching ranks shortly after the completion on their respective professional careers, Vernon with Georgetown University and Josh with Fort Valley State. Vernon spent ten seasons coaching at the collegiate and high school level before joining the pro ranks in 2003. Josh is currently in his tenth season as a collegiate coach, his fourth as a head coach, having led the Division II Kentucky State Thorobreds from 2013-15 before becoming the Lions head coach this season.
Jaylon joined his brother Josh at Lincoln as a freshman tight end after his graduation from Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas in 2018. He has appeared in every game as the Lions starting tight end.
The game itself is anticipated to be an exciting one with the Lions coming off their first win of the season last Saturday and the Trojans returning to their home field for the homecoming contest following a loss at Bowie State.
And come Saturday, Vernon and Josh Dean will join the ranks of several college football coaching families that have had father coaching against son along with the addition of having Jaylon playing against his father's team.
