THE HILL | The 2026 college football season is nearly here as Alabama A&M University head football coach Sam Shade will join Jackson State head coach T.C. Taylor on Tuesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. for the 2026 HBCU Gulf Coast Challenge press conference.
 
The press conference was announced by Brothers Working Together, LLC, in collaboration with the Mobile Sports Authority, and will begin at 12 p.m. 
 
The HBCU Gulf Coast Challenge featuring Alabama A&M University and Jackson State University, is a premier event celebrating the athletic excellence and rich heritage of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
 
The HBCU Golf Coast Challenge began in 2018 and is entering its eighth year. Alabama A&M will be seeking its first win at the Gulf Coast Challenge since 2021 when the Bulldogs defeated Tuskegee, 45-35. AAMU dropped the matchup during the 2025 season, 57-24, to Jackson State. 
 
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from event organizers, sponsors, and participating school representatives about what to expect from this year's challenge and its impact on the community.
 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).