Southern University and Baton Rouge Unite to Honor Coach Sean Wallace
Wallace, who served as Southern’s safeties coach, publicly revealed his stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2023.
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Southern University community, alongside the greater Baton Rouge area, is coming together to honor the life and legacy of longtime football coach and former star player Sean Wallace, who passed away at the age of 52 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Wallace, who served as Southern’s safeties coach, publicly revealed his stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2023. Despite his condition, he continued to coach and inspire players, embodying resilience and unwavering faith. His fight against the disease galvanized a movement of support known as #SeanStrong, uniting the Jaguar Nation and the entire community behind him.
A Leader On and Off the Field
Wallace’s impact on Southern football dates back to his playing days under legendary coach Pete Richardson. As a defensive powerhouse, he led the Jaguars to a 1993 SWAC Championship and a Black College National Championship. His dominance on the field earned him numerous accolades, including two-time All-SWAC honors, SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, Bayou Classic MVP, and multiple All-American distinctions. His legacy was cemented with his 2011 induction into the Southern University Football Hall of Fame.
Even as he faced mounting health challenges, Wallace’s dedication to the Jaguars never wavered. He took the helm as acting head coach during the 2023 Bayou Classic, guiding Southern to a hard-fought 27-22 victory just days after the departure of head coach Eric Dooley. The moment was especially poignant, as Wallace had once won Bayou Classic MVP as a player. “To see it come full circle on the 50th anniversary of this game means so much to so many of us,” said his daughter, Sadijah Wallace.
A Community’s Unwavering Support
Following his diagnosis, Wallace’s family launched a GoFundMe campaign to aid in his medical expenses. The campaign detailed his initial symptoms, including severe stomach pain that led to the discovery of a pancreatic tumor. Doctors determined the cancer had spread to his liver, making it inoperable. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, Wallace continued to fight, supported by former Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, Councilman Darryl Hurst, and the wider Southern University and Baton Rouge community.
Wallace often spoke about the strength he drew from those rallying around him. “The old African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child. I can tell you my village has surrounded me with the support that I need. It’s unbelievable,” he said.
That village extended far beyond Southern University. Students, alumni, and local residents joined hands in a collective effort to provide emotional and financial support. Prayer vigils, fundraisers, and community events highlighted the impact Wallace had not just as a coach, but as a mentor and a friend to many.
A Legacy That Lives On
Southern University’s athletic department expressed its deep sorrow in a statement:
“Jaguar Nation, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Coach Sean Wallace (1972-2025). A beloved mentor, leader, and friend, his impact will forever be felt by those whose lives he touched.”
The Wallace family has requested privacy as they navigate this profound loss, with memorial service details to be announced at a later date.
Wallace’s legacy as a player, coach, and pillar of the community will endure in the hearts of those who knew him. His life was a testament to strength, leadership, and faith—qualities that defined him both on and off the field.
As the city of Baton Rouge and the Jaguar Nation mourn, they also celebrate a man whose influence transcended football. Sean Wallace was more than a coach—he was a beacon of hope and resilience.
