Rashad Jackson enters his second season as the Red Wolves’ tight ends coach in 2020.
Jackson’s first season at Arkansas State saw the Red Wolves complete their 2019 campaign with an 8-5 overall record with victories in four of its last five games, including a 36-24 win over Florida International in the Camellia Bowl.
Arkansas State put up impressive numbers with Jackson’s tight end group contributing in both the passing and running game. The Red Wolves ranked No. 10 in the country in passing offense (312.1 ypg), No. 14 in team passing efficiency (157.55), No. 26 in scoring offense (33.7 ppg) and No. 33 in both total offense (439.3 ypg) and red zone offense (.889).
A-State posted 5,711 yards total offense for the sixth most in school history, while their 6.2 yards-per-play average tied the second best mark ever by an A-State team. The squad completed the year with top-10 marks in program history in 12 different statistical categories, including most points (438, 7th) and most touchdowns (54, 6th).
A-State tight ends Reed Tyler and Javonis Isaac combined for 12 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown in 2019. Tyler enjoyed one of the best games of his young career, recording three receptions for a career-high 61 yards in a victory over Coastal Carolina. He also posted his second career touchdown reception in the Red Wolves’ Camellia Bowl win over FIU.
Jackson came to Arkansas State after previously spending the 2018 season at Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator.
His lone season at the school saw the team average 410 yards total offense per game, which ranked 12th in the nation.
He also coached 11 total players, including seven on offense and four on special teams, who earned All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) honors.
Prior to Trinity Valley, he spent the 2009-17 seasons in a variety of roles on the East Central (Okla.) University, including the 2017 campaign as offensive coordinator. During his time with Tigers, he also coached quarterbacks (2009-11), wide receivers (2012-16) and wide receivers/tight ends (2017).
Jackson mentored 30 All-Great American Conference (GAC) and five All-Lone Star Conference players at East Central, including four who went on to either be an NFL draft pick or sign a free agent contract with a team in the league. He also coached two NCAA Division II All-America choices and five (QBs Tyler Vanderzee, Rocky Moore, and Spencer Bond; WRs Caleb Holley and David Moore) who set school records.
While working at East Central, he also gained three years of experience in the NFL carrying out summer coaching internships with the Seattle Seahawks (2016), Detroit Lions (2015) and Denver Broncos (2013). He worked with the tight ends, special teams and running backs during those stops.
Jackson went to East Central from Kansas State, where he was the Director of Player Development in 2008. He went to Kansas State after working two seasons at Reedley (Calif.) College, serving as the running backs and tight ends coach in 2005 and the wide receivers coach in 2006 and 2007.
He helped lead the junior college program to the 2005 Valley Conference championship and Hawaiian Punch Bowl, as well as the 2006 State Center Bowl. He began his collegiate career as a coaching assistant at East Central from 2002-05, working with tight ends and tackles.
Jackson was an all-conference tight end at East Central and played one season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2002. He also earned his master’s degree in Sports Administration from East Central University in 2004.
Jackson and his wife, Amanda, have two children – Alexa (17) and Reece (12).
