Greg Jackson resigns

Tulane defensive assistant coach Greg Jackson will leave Tulane to become an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, according to a statement from Head Coach Bob Toledo. Jackson has been with the Green Wave since 2007, previously serving as a defensive assistant for both the University of Louisiana-Monroe and the University of Idaho.

With Tulane, Jackson served as the safeties’ coach in 2007, linebackers’ coach in 2008, and then coached both the safeties and the kickoff team during the 2009 season. Pass defense was one of the lone bright spots for the Green Wave this year, ranking 57th in the country and allowing only 218 yards per game. It was under Jackson’s tutelage that senior safety Chinonso Echebelem blossomed into one of the Green Wave’s most consistent defenders. During his time as linebackers’ coach in 2008, Jackson’s unit tallied three interceptions and 221 tackles despite losing three players to season-ending injuries.

Jackson played football at LSU from 1985-88 as part of a Tigers’ team that had a 36-10-2 record, won the Southeastern Conference in 1986 and 1988 and played in bowl games all four years. Jackson’s individual accolades included an all-SEC first team selection and an all-American first team selection in 1988, before being drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1989 NFL Draft. Jackson was part of the Giants’ 1990-91 Super Bowl championship team before also playing with the Philadelphia Eagles (1994-95), the New Orleans Saints (1996) and the San Diego Chargers (1997-2001).
Jackson will certainly be missed at Tulane.

“Greg is a very talented and energetic coach who worked very hard for our programs during his three seasons at Tulane,” Toledo said. “We wish him the best of luck at Wisconsin.”

Thus far there has been no speculation as to who, if anybody, will replace Jackson as defensive assistant.