“ I ’ ve learned that this is just who I am . I can ’ t flip . Some coaches talk about flipping from dad mode to coach mode . To me , it ’ s the same mode because some of our players don ’ t have dads . I just chose to be a dad for everybody . My daughter has been very gracious in sharing her dad with 100-plus dudes every year . It ’ s really worked out and intertwined really well .”
Since arriving in January , moving 1,879 miles from his life in Grand Junction to Valdosta has been a welcomed change for Jackson .
The comfort foods of the South aren ’ t new to the Houston native . If anything , reacquainting himself with the food he grew up on makes Jackson feel more at home than ever .
Not only has the food given him a sense of home , but the Southernhospitality has also made Jackson ’ s process of settling in almost seamless .
“ Man , I ’ m in heaven ,” Jackson said . “ The last few stops , Grand Junction especially , there isn ’ t soul food in Grand Junction . You eat a lot of McAlister ’ s in Grand Junction , Colorado . Having restaurant options out here and being a big dude is all I needed to see .”
“ Most of all , the people are different . People speak to you down here . It ’ s that true Southernhospitality . In some places I ’ ve been , they couldn ’ t care less . You can tell that what we ’ re doing – football , mentoring men – is just more important , and it ’ s looked at differently than some places I ’ ve been .” Culture-wise , Jackson may be in heaven . The South Georgia heat and humidity , not so much .
“ The weather ? It ’ s starting to get hot . I ain ’ t been in that in a while ,” Jackson laughed . “ I ’ m playing with my house now . When I was in Grand Junction , I used to cut the air off all day . But now , I cut it off yesterday , and I went , ‘ Nah , we ’ re just going to have to turn it down now .’ I ’ m learning those things , but this city , this town , this area is a lot like my neighborhood in Houston . I feel really comfortable here and always have . I ’ ve never felt out of place . It ’ s been really good .”
Jackson led his Blazers through their first spring practice in preparation for his inaugural season as head coach .
Upon his arrival , Jackson has won over much of the Valdosta community with his infectious energy , big personality , and commitment to doing things the right way .
When the Blazers took the field for their annual spring game on April 8 , the community turnout was one of the highest ever for the event .
“ People support people they believe in ,” Jackson said . “ We believe that you ’ ve got to go to them to get folks to believe in you . From the day I said that at that press conference , we ’ ve tried to go to people , take our players to people , and give the city back to us . Hopefully , that hospitality that support stays . It ’ s been awesome .”
When it comes to coaches , often , they are judged solely on wins and losses . Jackson has shown himself to be an aggressive recruiter this offseason , already having garnered several top recruits and a bevy of commitments for next season .
More important than wins and losses , Jackson has built his reputation on being a champion of academic excellence .
In 2021 , Jackson coached two Academic All-Americans and one AFCA Second Team All-American . Twenty-one Mavericks were All- Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference ( RMAC ) performers under Jackson , including RMAC Offensive Freshman of the Year Karst Hunter .
“ I ’ m looking forward to the season because our boys love to knock folks out . We ’ ll hit folks anyway , but I ’ m looking forward to graduation and seeing what our boys do post-Valdosta State ,” Jackson said . “ To me , that ’ s how I ’ m going to be judged . Everybody around here might judge me on football games , but I ’ m going to be judged on the people I had under me . What did we pour into them as a program ? That ’ s the most important thing to me .”
Jackson and the Blazers open the 2022 regular season at home against Keiser Hawks Thursday , Sept . 1 at 7 p . m .
Fresh off their second run to the Division II national championship game in the last three seasons , the Blazers expect to be in the conversation as they look to add a fifth national title to their trophy case .
“ These boys are hungry , and we ’ re excited to show the community that ,” Jackson said . “ As a coach , especially at Valdosta State , you ’ re charged with turning water into wine every January to August . January , you get this team , and you don ’ t know what you will be . But in August , that water better is wine because those folks are ready to drink , and it better be something good . We look forward to that challenge .”
July 2022 | Valdosta Scene 29