BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Southern football safeties coach and former star player, Sean Wallace will be laid to rest Friday, Feb. 28.

He was 52 when he passed away.

Coach Wallace funeral arrangements

• Friday, Feb. 28
• Southern Univeristy F.G. Clark Activity Center
• 8 a.m. – Public viewing
• 10 a.m. – Memorial
• 9:30 a.m. – Omega Psi Phi Fraternity service

A memorial will be at the Southern University F.G. Clark Activity Center at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 28. In addition, a public viewing will occur from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity service will be at 9:30 a.m.

The memorial at the F.G. Clark Activity will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Early arrival is suggested.

‘Sean Strong’

Wallace went public about his fight with stage four pancreatic cancer in 2023.

“On Monday, October 9, 2023, we received the heartbreaking news that the blood work and imaging had revealed that the mass is indeed a cancerous tumor. The doctors found that the cancer had spread to his liver and is considered Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. The findings suggest that the tumor is in a difficult location, making it inoperable,” his family wrote after his diagnosis.

According to Wallace’s family, he made a trip to the emergency room after experiencing stomach pains and other issues. During that visit, doctors discovered a mass on his pancreas.

Wallace had to undergo several surgeries that proved to be unsuccessful.

During his long-fought battle, he was still coaching and leading the team. He remained with a strong unwavering faith as his growing army rallied behind him with #SeanStrong.

Wallace was the acting head coach for the Jaguars in the 2023 Bayou Classic after the program parted ways with former head coach Eric Dooley a week before the historic rivalry. Southern won the affair 27-22.

“He played in the Bayou Classic and won MVP. They won the Bayou Classic when he was a member of the team. So, to see it come full circle on the 50th anniversary of this game, that means so much to so many of us,” said Sadijah Wallace, his daughter.

Former Mayor Broome, Councilman Darryl Hurst, and others stood behind Wallace during his treatments.

“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,” said Wallace.

During the legendary Coach Pete Richardson’s first season, Wallace led the Jaguars to the #1 defense in the country, on its way to the 1993 SWAC Championship and the Black College National Championship.

He was highly decorated as a player, earning two-time All-SWAC honors, SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, Bayou Classic MVP, two-time Sheridan Black College All-American, Walter Camp All-American, and Kodak All-American honors.

In 2011, he was elected to the Southern University Football Hall of Fame.

Southern University’s athletic department released a statement on X about the passing of Coach Wallace.

Southern University’s Marching Band released the following statement:

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