Jackson State tabs alum Jackson as football coach

Jan 13, 2014 - 7:42 PM Jackson, MS (SportsNetwork.com) - It's been awhile, but Harold Jackson is glad to be home.

Jackson State named the 1968 graduate of the Southwestern Athletic Conference university as its new head football coach on Monday.

Jackson, a five-time All-Pro wide receiver and a 10-year NFL coaching veteran, replaces Rick Comegy, whose contract was not renewed last month. Comegy had a 55-35 record in eight seasons, including 8-4 this past season when Jackson State lost in the SWAC championship game for a second straight year.

"I'm going to put the excitement and product on the field," said Jackson, a native of Hattiesburg. "Our players will have discipline in the classroom and on the competition level. Our football players will be developed as good citizens."

Following his collegiate career at JSU, Jackson played 16 years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams (1968, 1973-77), Philadelphia Eagles (1969-72), New England Patriots (1978-81), Minnesota Vikings (1982) and Seattle Seahawks (1983).

He has coached in the NFL with New England (1985-89), Tampa Bay (1992-93) and New Orleans (1997-99). As a collegiate coach, he has been an assistant at North Carolina Central (1990), Virginia Union (1994), Benedict College (1995-96), Kentucky (2001-02) and Baylor (2003-06).

Most recently, he coached in the United Football League in 2011 and '12. He is a member of both the Mississippi and JSU Sports Hall of Fame.