The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Names Derrick Jackson Defensive Line Coach
January 07 | Football
University of Akron head football coach Rob
Ianello has appointed former Syracuse defensive line coach Derrick
Jackson to the same position with the Zips' program.
"I have known Derrick for several years and have first-hand
knowledge of his work," Ianello said. "I am very impressed with him
both personally and professionally. I know our defensive line will
enjoy playing for him. He will be an excellent addition to our
overall staff and defensive staff in particular. Derrick brings
great energy and I have come to respect him as a teacher and
recruiter."
Jackson spent three seasons (2007-09) with the Orange, including
the 2008 campaign as co-defensive coordinator. While there, Arthur
Jones established himself as a feared defensive line, earning
All-Big East honors in each of the last three years with two first
team selections to his credit. In 2007, Jones ranked ninth in the
NCAA with 17.5 tackles for loss. This past season, Syracuse's
defense ranked 13th in the nation and first in the Big East in
rushing defense, including a game where the Zips only amassed 191
yards of total offense and zero net yards rushing.
Prior to his stint at Syracuse, Jackson was the defensive line
coach at Michigan State (2006), where coached - among others - 2007
NFL draft pick Cliff Ryan and 2008 NFL free agent signee Ogmedi
Nwagbuo. The previous season, 2005, Jackson served as defensive
tackles coach for Northern Illinois as the Huskies won the MAC West
title and faced the Zips in the 2005 MAC Championship. That year,
NIU's defense ranked 34th in the NCAA and second in the MAC in
allowing the fewest points per game.
Jackson's first stop in Illinois came from 2003-04 as defensive
line coach at Eastern Illinois. While there, Marcus Lorick was
named second team All-American (2004) and the Panthers ranked 18th
nationally in total defense. Jackson's first collegiate job on the
defensive side of the ball came from 2001-02 when he mentored the
defensive ends at the United State Military Academy. With the Black
Knights, he coached Clarence Holmes, who set the school
single-season and career records for sacks, and Brandon Perdue, a
first team Academic All-America.
After six years in the private sector upon graduating from Duke,
Jackson broke into coaching in 1999, working as the tight ends
coach at the University of West Georgia until 2001. In his second
year with the program, West Georgia was Gulf South
co-champions.
He also has coaching experience in the National Football League.
During the summer of 2002, Jackson worked with former Tampa Bay
Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, and, in 2001, worked
with defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and linebackers coach Joe
Barry of the Miami Dolphins in the NFL Minority Fellowship
program.
A native of Cincinnati (born Jan. 16, 1970) and product of West
Morris Central HS in Long Valley, N.J., Jackson is a 1993 Duke
graduate with a degree in history. He was a four-year starter at
safety for Duke where he played for Steve Spurrier (1989) and Barry
Wilson (1990-92). He started 40 consecutive games for the Blue
Devils, recording 262 career tackles and six career interceptions.
His 262 career tackles ranked No. 8 on Duke's all-time list. He was
selected as the team's Most Outstanding Defensive Back in both 1991
and 1992. Jackson started as a red-shirt freshman on the 1989 Duke
team that posted an 8-4 record, claimed a share of the Atlantic
Coast Conference championship and earned a trip to the All-American
Bowl.
He lettered in three sports - football, basketball and track -
while attending West Morris Central High School in Chester, N.J. As
a senior, Jackson helped West Morris Central to a 9-2 record and a
second-place finish in the Group III state playoffs while earning
first-team all-state honors from the New Jersey Football Coaches
Association.
Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in history from Duke in 1993.
His wife, the former Renae Stahl, is also a 1993 Duke graduate and
is originally from Defiance, Ohio. Renae was a standout long and
triple jumper with the Blue Devils and was a 1999 inductee to the
Defiance High School Hall of Fame.
Coaching
Experience
- 2010 Defensive Line, Akron
- 2009 Defensive Line, Syracuse
- 2008 Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line, Syracuse
- 2007 Defensive Line, Syracuse
- 2006 Defensive Line, Michigan State
- 2005 Defensive Tackles, Northern Illinois
- 2003-04 Defensive Line, Eastern Illinois
- 2001-02 Defensive Ends, United States Military Academy
- Summer '02 NFL Fellowship, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Summer '01 NFL Fellowship, Miami Dolphins
- 1999-2001 Tight Ends, State University of West Georgia
