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 never to 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 Desireé 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 Desireé Reed-Francois and the search committee for trusting me with this tremendous opportunity.”
Jackson is a baseball lifer both on an off the field.
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