After helping turn Arkansas Tech University's defensive unit into one of the best in the Great American Conference over the past three seasons, Raleigh Jackson was named Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers coach at Delta State University on Tuesday, March 15 by head coach
Todd Cooley. Jackson replaces
Lanier Goethie who resigned to take a position at Louisiana Tech University.
Jackson comes into the Gulf South Conference at a time when offensive football in the league is at an all-time high. Historically, teams in the GSC have consistently ranked in the NCAA top 25 in scoring and total offense.
He joins the program after spending the last three seasons at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark. The Wonder Boys defense finished the regular season in the top 25 nationally in nine different categories over a two-year span from 2014-2015, including 12th in defensive scores, 20th in rushing defense, 23rd in pass efficiency defense, 24th in total defense, 24th in third down defense, sixth in Red Zone defense, 22nd in tackles-for-loss), 23rd in turnovers gained and 23rd in fourth down defense.
In 2015, Tech's pass defense allowed opponents to complete 47.6 percent of their passes, one of the lowest marks across all of NCAA football. The Wonder Boys defensive unit also faced the nation's No.2, No. 3 and No. 12 ranked rushing offenses in country and held them collectively to 125 yards below their seasonal averages.
ATU linebacker Logan Genz finished his career as the all-time leading tackler in school and conference history, while finishing fourth all-time in NCAA Division II history with 480 tackles. Genz was named 2015 Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Year and an NCAA All-American by numerous media outlets. From 2014-2015, ATU had eleven defensive players receive All-GAC honors with five Wonder Boys being named All-Region and three All-Americans.
Genz and Wesley Mckinney finished the 2013 campaign in the top five in the GAC in total tackles, as Genz finished second in the conference with 106 and McKinney was fifth with 90. Genz went on to make All-GAC Second Team. Tech's 2013 defensive unit improved 72 spots nationally in scoring defense, 49 spots nationally in total defense and 56 spots nationally in rushing defense from 2012.
Prior to joining the Arkansas Tech staff, Jackson spent the 2012 season as linebackers coach at Slippery Rock University. Linebackers Gary Allen and Quindell Dean lead the Rock defense in tackles, combining for 170, with Dean earning All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Honors. Slippery Rock's defense finished 10th in NCAA Division II in third down conversion defense that season.
Jackson coached the 2011 season at his alma mater, The Citadel, where he served as tight ends coach. During the season at The Citadel, Jackson helped the Bulldogs the year ranked fourth nationally among FCS-member institutions in rushing, averaging 286.6 yards a game.
Prior to joining The Citadel staff, Jackson served three years (2008-2010) at Missouri Southern State University, where he held several different positions on staff, including Defensive Run Game Coordinator, Recruiting coordinator, Defensive line Coach and Linebackers coach. In 2010, the Missouri Southern defense led the MIAA in total defense, rush defense, tackles-for-loss and sacks.
A 2007 graduate of The Citadel, Jackson received a bachelor of arts degree in history. A four-year letterman and three-year starter, Jackson helped the Bulldogs reach its first winning record in the Southern Conference in 15 seasons in 2006.
Jackson previously coached at Goose Creek High School in Goose Creek, S.C., where he worked under former Baylor head coach Chuck Reedy. At Goose Creek, Jackson served as the defensive ends coach and assisted with special teams.
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| SCHOOL | YEARS | POSITION |
| Delta State University | 2016 - Present | Defensive Coordinator/LBs Coach |
| Arkansas Tech University | 2014 - 2015 | Co-Defensive Coordinator/LBs Coach |
| Arkansas Tech University | 2013 | Linebackers Coach |
| Slippery Rock University | 2012 | Linebackers Coach |
| The Citadel | 2011 | Tight Ends Coach |
| Missouri Southern State University | 2008 - 2010 | Linebackers/Defensive Line Coach |
| Goose Creek (S.C.) High School | 2007 | Defensive Ends |
