Jackson Tapped to Coach U-M Secondary
1/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
• Kornacki: Jackson Eager to Mentor Wolverine Secondary
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh announced today (Wednesday, Jan. 14) the hiring of Greg Jackson as U-M's secondary coach. Jackson comes to Ann Arbor after spending the past four seasons working with defensive backs for Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers.
"I got to know Coach Jackson as a player with the San Diego Chargers, and since that time I have been impressed by his approach to the game and his leadership," said Harbaugh. "He has a proven track record working with elite NFL defensive backs and is very familiar with the Big Ten landscape. Our young men with the desire to play at the next level and the right work ethic will benefit from Greg's approach and ability. I am excited to have him a part of the Michigan family."
"I am very excited to be here at the University of Michigan," Jackson said. "I have always known this is a special place, so when Coach Harbaugh asked me to join his staff there was no way I was going to pass up this tremendous opportunity. This school has it all, both academics and athletics that are steeped in tradition. I can't wait to get to work with our student-athletes."
Following a 12-year NFL career, Jackson has built extensive experience in both college and professional coaching.
From 2011-14, Jackson guided San Francisco's defensive backs as the assistant secondary coach. Statistically he helped lead one of the best units in the NFL. In 2013, the 49ers allowed just 221.0 passing yards per game, which ranked fourth in the NFC and seventh in the NFL. The 49ers boasted the NFC's best pass defense in 2012, allowing just 200.2 passing yards per game. San Francisco's defensive backs picked off 22 pass in 2011, the second-most in the NFL.
Throughout his tenure in the Bay Area, Jackson mentored some of the league's elite defensive backs. During his four seasons, members of the 49ers secondary earned two All-Pro honors and five Pro Bowl selections. Safety Eric Reid was selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2013, the first 49ers rookie safety to earn that honor in franchise history. In 2012, safeties Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson were both chosen for the Pro Bowl, with Goldson voted a First Team All-Pro. Goldson earned his first spot in the Pro Bowl in 2011 and went with cornerback Carlos Rogers, who also earned Second-Team All-Pro accolades.
Jackson spent one year with the University of Wisconsin in 2010. While in Madison he served as the nickelback/assistant linebackers coach. The Badgers finished that season ranked No. 7 with an 11-2 record.
Prior to joining Wisconsin, Jackson coached at Tulane University for three seasons in multiple roles. He began with the Green Wave as the defensive backs coach in 2007. He also coached safeties (2008) and linebackers (2009) during his time in New Orleans, and oversaw the kickoff team during his final two seasons.
Jackson spent three seasons as the defensive backs coach at Louisiana-Monroe (2004-06), where he coached All-Sun Belt Conference defensive back Chris Hass, who led the country with seven interceptions in 2004. Jackson's coaching career began at the University of Idaho where he led the defensive backs (2003).
Jackson played safety in the NFL for 12 years. His career began with the New York Giants after being selected in the third round of the draft in 1989. He played for the Giants until 1993, and then went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles (1994-95), the New Orleans Saints (1996) and the San Diego Chargers (1997-2000). He was a teammate of head coach Jim Harbaugh during his final two years with the Chargers. During his career, Jackson played in 168 games -- starting 129 -- and registered 32 interceptions.
Jackson had a standout collegiate career for the LSU Tigers as a safety (1985-88), culminating with a first-team All-America selection in 1988. He helped the Tigers to a 36-10-2 record, including a pair of SEC championships (1986, 1988). Jackson played in a bowl game during all four seasons.
During his All-America season of 1988, Jackson led the nation with seven interceptions.
A native of Miami, Florida, Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in communications broadcasting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2004. He and his wife Dina have two children, Greg Jr. and Jayden, while his oldest son Jamal played football at Appalachian State University (2009-13).
Communications Contacts: David Ablauf, Zach Eisendrath (734) 763-4423
