Andrew Jackson - Football Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Andrew Jackson

Title:
Defensive Tackles
Email:
jacks7aj@jmu.edu
Phone:
540-568-6517

Andrew Jackson was hired on Jan. 3, 2019, as an assistant coach with the James Madison University football program, working primarily with the defensive tackles.

In his first season, he helped guide one defensive tackle to all-conference honors, as Mike Greene was named Third Team All-CAA defensive lineman after leading the CAA in sacks by interior linemen.

Jackson’s defensive tackles combined for 28.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks and three blocks on special teams. His group was part of a JMU defense, which led the FCS in total defense (270.2) and first-down defense (14.56) while also ranking third in scoring defense (15.7), rushing defense (74.8) and third-down defense (.300) and fifth in tackles for loss (8.5).

JMU’s defense also ranked sixth in pass efficiency defense (111.83), 11th in takeaways (26), 12th in sacks (2.94), and 20th in red-zone defense (73.5%).

Jackson came to JMU after spending the 2018 season as the defensive quality control coach at Mississippi State, where he helped the Bulldogs to an 8-5 record and berth in the Outback Bowl. MSU ranked in the top 10 nationally in eight defensive categories, highlighted by leading the country in total defense (263.1). The Bulldogs also ranked second in scoring defense (13.2), third in rushing defense (95.1) and third-down defense (26.6%), seventh in both passing defense (168.0) and red-zone defense (73.5), eighth in tackles for loss (7.9) and ninth in first-down defense (212).

Prior to MSU, Jackson was the defensive line coach at Fordham for one season (2017). The Rams’ defense ranked third in the Patriot League in turnover margin (+0.18) and had three players earn All-Patriot League honors, including freshman linebacker Glenn Cunningham, who was a Freshman All-American.

He was a graduate assistant with the defensive line at Penn State for two seasons (2015-16), as he was part of the Nittany Lions’ 2016 team that won the Big Ten championship and earned a berth in the Rose Bowl. Jackson was responsible for weekly film breakdowns and scouting reports and was in charge of preparing the scout team before practice. He also works with the defensive tackles during individual drills.

Jackson also spent two seasons as an assistant at Stony Brook (2013-14) and began his career as a GA at LIU Post, where he was a three-year starter on the defensive line.

A 2011 graduate with a degree in physical education science and coaching, Jackson was a three-year captain for LIU Post. He was a Second Team All-PSAC honoree as a senior after recording 12 tackles for loss and five sacks for the Pioneers.