SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State defensive line coach Jonas Jackson has been selected to attend the fifth-annual NFL and NCAA Coaches Academy.
 
Jackson will be one of 30 NCAA coaches invited to attend the academy, which runs Feb. 20-22 in Louisville, Kentucky, during the annual NFL and NCAA Summit.
 
The NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy provides an opportunity for current, full-time intercollegiate football coaches at NCAA member institutions and current (and former) NFL athletes to expand their knowledge and insight into the world of intercollegiate football coaching.
 
During the three-day academy, the NCAA Leadership Development staff and the National Football League Player Engagement are able to educate and train selected participants in a variety of areas that encourage effective coaching and improve student-athlete well being at both the intercollegiate and professional levels. Topical education and conversation during the academy may include: effective communication with campus and community constituents; the importance of building culture focused on the overall success of the student-athletes both on and off the field; budget management of a football program; coaching strategies and philosophies.
 
Jackson was hired as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for Savannah State in the summer of 2013. Jackson came to SSU from Assumption College where he served as the linebackers coach since the spring of 2013.

Prior to Assumption, Jackson was the head coach and defensive coordinator for West Virginia Wesleyan College from 2010-2012, as well as the assistant head coach during the 2009-10 season. The team set 36 school records in two seasons and had the most wins in two consecutive years since 1924 during his tenure.

Jackson did graduate assistant work at Temple University (2005-2006). Prior to his stint at Temple, he served as head coach and defensive coordinator of the Elancout Templiers in the French Pro League in spring 2005.

He played junior college football at Dean College (1997-1998), and Arizona Western (1998-1999). He also played two years, 2000-2002, for Eastern Michigan University.

Jackson earned an Associate of Arts from Arizona Western in 1999, a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan in 2002, and a Master of Arts from Valparaiso University in 2004.