Former Jackson State assistant strength and conditioning coach Joseph Stone III has earned an opportunity to continue his coaching journey at the NFL level after being selected for the 2026 NFL Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the San Francisco 49ers.
The prestigious fellowship is designed to provide talented coaches from diverse backgrounds with hands-on experience during NFL training camp while helping prepare them for future coaching opportunities in professional football.
Stone, who served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Jackson State during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, will join the 49ers’ strength and conditioning staff as part of this year’s fellowship class. He currently serves as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Houston.
During his time at Jackson State, Stone was part of a program that continued to build its national profile while developing student-athletes both on and off the field. His selection to the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship reflects the growing influence of coaches with HBCU experience throughout the football landscape.
Named in honor of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh, the NFL’s Diversity Coaching Fellowship has become one of the league’s premier coaching development initiatives. The program gives participants the opportunity to work alongside NFL coaching staffs, gain valuable professional experience, and build relationships that can lead to full-time coaching positions.
Stone’s selection also highlights another success story for the HBCU coaching pipeline, as coaches with backgrounds at historically Black colleges and universities continue to earn opportunities at the highest levels of football.
As NFL teams continue to emphasize coaching development and diversity, fellowships like this one serve as an important bridge between the college and professional ranks.
Why It Matters
Joseph Stone III’s selection is another example of how HBCU coaching experience continues to open doors at the NFL level. His journey from Jackson State to the San Francisco 49ers underscores the value of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in creating pathways for the next generation of football coaches.
