Texas Southern has narrowed its search for a new head coach to two candidates, Mickey Joseph and Brett Maxie, sources have indicated to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. According to sources, Minnesota Vikings wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell, and former NCAA Division II Benedict head coach Chennis Berry were interviewed for the open position as well. HBCU Gameday reported that Berry has agreed to be head coach at South Carolina State.

In another twist to the search, the Houston Chronicle reported that former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson said he was “open” to being the next head coach at TSU.

Sources indicate that there have been disagreements within different levels of TSU’s administration regarding the direction of the coaching search. Multiple sources have said the search has been a “mess” due to the dissension.

Joseph was recently the interim head coach at Nebraska in 2022. He led the Huskers to a 3-6 record before the university placed him on administrative leave and eventually dismissed following an arrest under suspicion of domestic violence. The charges were eventually dropped after the accuser refused to testify.

Maxie is a TSU alum and had a 13-year career in the NFL after being undrafted in 1985. He played for the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers. Following his playing career, he has seven stops as a defensive back coach in the NFL.

The Dallas native served as defensive backs coach at Vanderbilt in 2014-2015 and was the defensive coordinator at IMG Academy in 2019. Most recently, Maxie was safeties coach for three years at Colorado and spent last year as defensive backs coach for the Houston Gamblers of the USFL.

McCardell entered the coaching profession following a 17-year NFL career with six teams. The Houston native is currently the wide receiver coach for the Vikings and has been a wide receivers coach at all four stops during his coaching career (Washington Redskins, Maryland, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Vikings).

Sources also indicated that current DII Valdosta State head coach Tremaine Jackson remains interested in the position but can’t confirm if he’s interviewed with the Tigers.

Texas Southern did not renew Clarence McKinney’s contract following the 2023 season.