Raleigh Jackson begins his third year as the Reddies' defensive line coach in 2021-22.
During his first year in Arkadelphia, Henderson saw an uptick in production along the defensive front, as the Reddies finished second in the league with 77 tackles for loss. Pass rushers Robert Thomas and Josh Puryear each earned All-GAC recognition, while underclassmen Denzel Walter, Antoine Roshell and Jayden Ford all had the best seasons of their careers to this point.
Before coming to Henderson, Jackson was the Arkansas Tech's defensive coordinator for both the 2017 and 2018 seasons and helped lead the Wonder Boys to an 8-4 record in 2017. During his second stint in Russellville, Arkansas, he coached five All-Great American Conference selections and two All-Americans. The 2017 Arkansas Tech defense led the GAC in scoring defense, yards per play, takeaways, 4th down defense, red zone defense, pass defense efficiency and sacks.
In 2016 Jackson accepted the defensive coordinator position at Delta State University. In one season in Cleveland, Mississippi, Jackson coached All-Gulf South linebacker Landry Tullo, a Second Team All-Gulf South honoree who finished Top-10 in the GSC in tackles.
Prior to his run as the DC at Delta State, Jackson had a first stint at Arkansas Tech, where he was the Wonder Boys’ linebackers coach in 2013 and co-defensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015. In the final year of his first stop at Arkansas Tech, the Wonder Boys finished 9-3 and won the C.H.A.M.P.S Heart of Texas Bowl. The Arkansas Tech defense finished the regular season in the Top-25 nationally in nine different statistical categories in a two year span, including defensive scores (No. 12), rushing defense (No. 20), pass efficiency defense (No. 23), total defense (No. 24), 3rd down defense (No. 24), red zone defense (No. 6), tackles for loss (No. 22), turnovers gained (No. 23), and 4th down defense (No. 23). Jackson also coached the GAC’s all-time leading tackler, Logan Genz, who finished his career as the 2015 GAC Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American by wracking up 480 career-tackles.
Jackson spent the 2012 season at Slippery Rock University, where he oversaw the linebacking corps. During his time at The Rock, linebacker Quindell Dean was named All-PSAC.
Before his venture into Division II, Jackson spent the 2011 season at his alma mater, The Citadel, where he worked on both sides of the ball as outside linebackers coach and tight ends coach. During his one season in Charleston, South Carolina, Jackson helped the Bulldogs rank fourth in all of FCS in rushing yards per game (286.6).
Jackson’s first college coaching position came at Missouri Southern, where he coached defensive line, linebackers, and took on recruiting coordinator responsibilities, from 2008 to 2010. During his time with the Lions, Jackson coached three All-Americans, including Baltimore Ravens’ draftee Brandon Williams, and helped Missouri Southern lead the MIAA in total defense, rush defense, and sacks in 2010.
During the 2007 season, Jackson got the first coaching opportunity of his career as the defensive ends coach at Goose Creek High School in Goose Creek, South Carolina.
In his 13 years as an assistant, Jackson has mentored seven All-Americans and participated in the postseason three times. Prior to his coaching career, Jackson, who hails from Orangeburg, South Carolina, was a four-year letterman from 2003 to 2006 at The Citadel, where he started 17 career games at inside and outside linebacker.
