Jackson State University

Former NFL standout Alan Ricard is in his third season leading the Jackson State special teams' units.

Last season, JSU was one of only two teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (Alabama State) to return at least one punt and one kickoff for a touchdown. Warren Newman averaged 16.4 yards per punt return (2nd/SWAC, 3rd/FCS), with one touchdown. Isaiah Bolden's 36.9 yard kickoff-return average led all of Division I football (both FBS and FCS), and tied for the National FCS lead with two touchdowns.  
 
Prior to JSU, Ricard coached 2016-19 at the University of Louisiana-Monroe and 2015 at Nicholls State.
 
Ricard received his first coaching experience at ULM, where he played fullback from 1995-99. After playing in the NFL for nine seasons, Ricard returned to ULM as a student assistant coach in 2013. While in Monroe, he completed his undergraduate degree in criminal justice.
 
Following his playing career at ULM, Ricard played five seasons in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens (2000-06), Buffalo Bills (2006) and Detroit Lions (2007-08). Ricard was part of the Ravens squad that won Super Bowl XXXV and in 2003, he was an alternate for the AFC Pro Bowl team after blocking for 2,000-yard rusher Jamal Lewis.
 
Following retirement from the NFL, Ricard spent two years with the Comcast Sports Network in Baltimore, Maryland, where he broke down matchups for upcoming games, as well as provided halftime and post-game analysis.