Kornacki: Jackson Eager to Mentor Wolverine Secondary
1/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It took 30 years, but Greg Jackson is finally a Wolverine.
Michigan's new secondary coach was a star at Miami American High when Bo Schembechler recruited him, and Jackson was close to saying "yes" until making his visit to Ann Arbor.
"In January 1985 I came here on a recruiting visit," Jackson said. "Very cold, a kid from Miami, Florida. I got off the plane, touched ground, and the snow was up to my knees.
"I said, 'I'm ready to go home.' And at that point, I picked LSU. But I knew this was a great place. I made the right decision because my career took off at LSU. But I knew this was a great institution. And, lo and behold, Coach (Jim) Harbaugh got this job and I was praying that he called me, and he did, and there was no way I was going to say no."
"It means a lot to me. This is a great opportunity. It's a great school, education, football players, everything. So, I'm just happy to be here."
He's had a chance to meet with most of his defensive backs.
"I'm excited," Jackson said, "and I know the players are. The first thing we always talk about is winning. And I know Coach Harbaugh is a winner. One of the reasons I wanted to come here is to follow him because I know he's going to win."
Jackson, who made 32 interceptions in 12 NFL seasons, played with Harbaugh on the San Diego Chargers. After retiring as a player, Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in communications broadcasting from Farleigh Dickinson University before going into college coaching.
He was the nickelback and assistant linebacker coach for No. 7 Wisconsin (11-2) in 2011 before becoming an assistant secondary coach for the San Francisco 49ers under Harbaugh.
"From my standpoint, as an ex-NFL player, I think it's critical just to teach, step by step, to young guys," Jackson said. "When I was on my way out of the NFL, I knew this was what I wanted to do."
What does he do best as a coach?
"One of the best things I do is talk to the players," Jackson said. "I think one of the biggest things you have to understand is who the guys are. Everybody can't do the same thing. And I think the best thing as a coach is to teach (each player based) on what he does best -- not what the other guy does best."
He will stress individualized coaching and friendship with his players.
"Find out how to get next to that player," Jackson said. "Find out how you can coach him better. Find out what makes him tick. You know, what makes him upset and what makes him excited about going out there and playing.
"I think that's the important thing about coaching. If you can get guys to start listening to what you're saying, I think you've got it made."
Jackson said that enables being on the same wave-length.
"They hear you," he added, "and you have to make sure that when you are talking to them that every single guy in the room thinks you are talking to them."
The Wolverines made only five interceptions last year to rank last in the Big Ten in that category. Jackson, as an All-American safety in 1988, led the nation with seven interceptions and tied an NCAA record with a 100-yard touchdown on a pickoff return against Mississippi State.
What will be central to getting his new players to pick off more passes?
"One of the key things is you have to have all four guys playing together with chemistry and knowing where each other is going to be," said Jackson. "The second thing is that you have to be prepared. You've got to know the opposite team, and know what they are trying to do. We have to know what they are going to do."
Jackson said it's all about anticipation.
Four of the defensive backs he worked with at San Francisco -- cornerback Carlos Rogers and safeties Dashon Goldson, Eric Reid and Donte Whitner -- became Pro Bowl selections. And the Forty-Niners led the NFC in pass defense in their Super Bowl season of 2012.
Jackson coached the secondary at Louisiana-Monroe in 2004, and his All-Sun Belt Conference defensive back, Chris Harris, led the nation with seven interceptions.
Jackson was a third-round pick of the New York Giants in 1989, and also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and the Chargers. He twice picked off six passes in one season.
So, he possesses the know-how and has gotten results in college and NFL defensive backfields. And he's "excited" about his new challenge at Michigan.
Jackson now walks past a statue of the coach who recruited him when entering Schembechler Hall.
"It was funny because he came to my house," Jackson said of Schembechler. "All I can remember is the deep voice saying, 'We want you at Michigan.' ... And I was excited about coming to Michigan."
The Wolverines joined Tennessee and LSU as one of his finalists, but Jackson said a desire to stay in a "hot climate" helped make his decision.
"Now I get an opportunity to teach young guys about the importance of education, going to school and graduating," Jackson said. "All kids have a dream of playing in the NFL, and I've done that. So, I just want to try to give back because I think it's important to have a kid grow up to be solid and strong both on the field and off the field."
