Last night the University of Missouri’s baseball team hired Kerrick Jackson as its new head baseball coach and made history in the process.
Jackson, a St. Louis native, returned to his home state as the team’s first Black head baseball coach and, according to ESPN’s Clinton Yates, the first Black head baseball coach in SEC history.
Jackson’s hiring “makes him the first ever black head coach in the SEC. and the only current black Power 5 HC in America,” tweeted Yates.
The other “firsts” for P5 teams/conferences are Bubba Morton (Washington, 1972-76; Pac-8/Pac-12); Dave Baker (Kansas St., 1978-83, Big 6, 7, 8, XII). Baker was also the first Black head baseball coach for a PWI at Creighton from 1972-77); Spencer Allen (Northwestern, 2015-21; Big Ten) and now Kerrick Jackson at Missouri in the SEC.
The ACC is the only P5 conference to never have a Black head baseball coach.
As the head coach at Memphis, Jackson led the Tigers to 29 wins this season, giving the program its first winning season and most wins since 2017. Now he returns home and to the program where he was an assistant coach from 2011-15.
“We set out to find a leader of high character with success rejuvenating a program, and we certainly found that in Kerrick Jackson,” said Missouri Director of Athletics DesireĆ© Reed-Francois in a statement. “He’s a tireless recruiter, fierce competitor and a coach with deep roots in the Midwest. Coach Jackson knows what success looks like in college baseball, specifically at Mizzou. He has a vision for success and a tremendous amount of experience at all levels of baseball. I look forward to him building on our traditions and returning us to the national stage. We proudly welcome Coach Jackson, Talia, Zion and Lazarus home to Columbia.”
Jackson is a respected leader in the game and is recognized for his skills in player development, recruiting and talent evaluations. He also serves on the American Baseball Coaches Association Board of Directors and as chair of their Diversity in Baseball committee.
“It’s a great honor to come back to the University of Missouri and lead the baseball program,” Jackson said. “I have seen this program at its championship best and understand both what it takes to get there and the importance of baseball to the state, region and within the Southeastern Conference. My family and I are looking forward to returning to a University and community which we love. I am grateful to DesireĆ© Reed-Francois and the search committee for trusting me with this tremendous opportunity.”
Jackson is a baseball lifer both on an off the field.
Prior to his time at Memphis, Jackson was the head coach at HBCU Southern University from 2018-20, where he showcased his talent for building a program. He took the Jaguars from nine wins in 2018 to 32 wins, a conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance during his tenure. His accomplishments earned him SWAC and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year accolades. Even more impressive was his success off the diamond, where the 2018 team earned, according to the releases, “the athletic department’s highest men’s team GPA and received national recognition for its community service efforts.”
Outside of coaching, Jackson helped to identify young talent with Major League potential as a certified player agent from 2016-17 and was also the Midwest Area Scouting Supervisor for the Washington Nationals.
But coaching is in his blood.
Aside from his time as an assistant at Missouri, where he helped recruit nationally ranked classes, he was an assistant at St. Louis Community College-Meramec (2008), Nicholls State (2006-07), Jefferson (Mo.) College (2004-05), Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College (2003), Emporia State (2002) and Fairfield (2001).
Prior to entering coaching, Jackson played collegiately at St. Louis Community College-Meramec and Bethune-Cookman University before playing and graduating from the University of Nebraska.
Now he’s back home with a hefty resume, one that now lists history maker.
