FRANKFORT — Kentucky State University recently announced its new head football coach.
Charlie Jackson, an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons in their 2017 and 2018 campaigns, has been named the university’s new coach.
Jackson says his goal for Kentucky State University football is simple: to compete against perfection.
“Every member of our football operation will demonstrate an all-consuming mindset to maximize his or her God-given potential, and we will do the same as a team,” Jackson said.
“I am ecstatic to accept the head football coach position at Kentucky State,” Jackson said. “President Brown and Athletic Director Etienne Thomas speak my language. My minimum standard is graduating student-athletes, but I am extremely encouraged to know that achieving excellence, across the board, with regard to the student-athlete experience, is a priority for this administration.”
Jackson, a veteran Air Force officer, has a long history with the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association. Prior to coaching with the Falcons, Jackson served on the NCAA national office staff as a member of the college football rules enforcement group. He led and was directly responsible for the football rules development efforts in the Southeastern Conference.
His background includes multiple defensive coaching roles with the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos, as well as coaching fellowships with the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams. He also served as a college scout for the Seattle Seahawks organization. He has collegiate experience at Colorado, UCLA, Utah State, Buffalo, and the United States Air Force Academy.
Jackson accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, where he participated in football and indoor track and field. During his football playing career at Air Force, the Falcons were a consistent member of the national top 25 rankings, including a top-10 final ranking and conference championship in 1998.
President M. Christopher Brown II affirms that it is a new day for football on the hill.
“This is a new era for Kentucky State University football,” President Brown said. “Coach Jackson’s impressive mentorship of students on and off the field aligns with our belief of developing the whole person. He recognizes that we are not just interested in winning football games, but we are fully committed to building a championship program and addressing the campus-wide ambition to reclassify with the NCAA in the near future.”
Brown continued, “My personal motto remains ‘excellence without excuse.’ Coach Jackson’s vision of athletic competition aligns with my own. Even more, he has a clear intention to support on-time graduation and gainful employment after college. His coaching philosophy embodies the NCAA’s articulate aims of sportsmanship, amateurism and a balanced life.”
Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the United States Air Force Academy. He has a master’s degree in management and sports studies from California State University, Long Beach.
Jackson is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). His professional associations include the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), NFL Coaches Association (NFLCA), National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC), Minority Coaches Association of Georgia (MCAofGA), and the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA).
Athletic Director Thomas is elated to welcome Coach Jackson as the next leader of the Thorobred football program.
“We are delighted that Coach Jackson and his family chose to be a part of the Kentucky State University family,” Thomas said. “I made a promise to our student-athletes—to find the right leader for our program. I know that Kentucky State honored that commitment with the hiring of Charlie Jackson. Coach Jackson is a total package of experiences and expertise, including time spent in the military, the NCAA national office and the NFL.”
In accordance with the board’s bylaws, the Kentucky State University Board of Regents will approve Jackson’s contract at its next quarterly board meeting in March.
Here’s what others are saying about Jackson’s move to Kentucky State:
Dan Quinn
Head Coach, Atlanta Falcons
“Charlie Jackson is a leader in the highest sense. His ability to connect with players and coaches is remarkable. Charlie’s awareness for the situation and what’s needed at the crucial time will provide the team at Kentucky State a clear vision toward success in all areas.”
Kyle Shanahan
Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers
“Charlie has put in the work over the past 20 years to be his best self. He has been around great coaches and schemes. He is ready for this challenge/opportunity and will do great things at Kentucky State.”
Mike Sherman
Head Coach, Montreal Alouettes
Former Head Coach, Green Bay Packers
“Coach Jackson is a passionate coach who will always get the best out of his players. He will do an outstanding job at Kentucky State.”
Fisher DeBerry
Former Head Coach, U.S. Air Force Academy
College Football Hall of Fame Coach
“Kentucky State University has hit a home run with the hiring of Charlie Jackson as its next head football coach! Charlie is one of my all-time favorites. He is a wonderful young man that brings great coaching experience from college and the professional ranks. The players will quickly gravitate to him and believe in him. Charlie is a great coach and disciplinarian, but he is an even better person with wonderful moral standards. He will build a strong family within his team that will be an asset to the community, and he and his staff will represent the University with great pride, great character and integrity! I salute the University administration in their choice of Charlie Jackson as they seek to move forward and expand their program.”
John Dorsey
General Manager, Cleveland Browns
“Charlie Jackson is a very good football coach, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he accomplishes at Kentucky State. I’ve followed Charlie’s growth since we worked together in Green Bay (Packers). He’s a man of high character. I’ve always been impressed and admired his ability to lead young men to success in the game of football. Kentucky State got a fine man to lead their football program.”
Jon Duncan
Vice President of Enforcement, NCAA National Headquarters
“Charlie knows the game of football well and has coached at the highest level. He cares deeply about developing well-rounded college athletes and I believe players will appreciate his leadership.”
Ricardo Allen
Free Safety, Atlanta Falcons
“Coach Jackson is one of the most consistent/professional men I’ve ever been around. He’s always on his “A” game, and he spreads that throughout his team and coaches. He is a coach that not only cares about his players on the field, but off the field. He knows how to get the best out of his players and push them to their max.”
Spencer Larson
Six-Year NFL Player
“As a player, what you need from a coach is someone who is going to provide you tools to get better every day and improve your craft. Charlie did this at the highest level for me in Denver (Broncos). Kentucky State is lucky to have him as its new coach.”
Keanu Neal
Pro Bowl Strong Safety, Atlanta Falcons
“Coach Jackson cares about his players and getting the best out of them. He’s about building relationships that go deeper than football. Great coach, but an even better man.”
Mike Lombardi
NFL Analyst & Writer for The Athletic
“Charlie Jackson is an outstanding choice for Kentucky State as its head football coach. His ability to lead men and establish a winning culture separates him from most coaches in America. Charlie brings knowledge, experience, character, and pride to his craft, and those four pillars will make any university better on the field and in the classroom. Well done, Kentucky State.”
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