Devon Jackson Goes from Student to Coach
Many Bluefield University student-athletes know Devon Jackson as the young football coach, but few know that Jackson was also a student at Bluefield University where he played football for the Rams.
In fact, Jackson was a four-year letterman for BU. During his playing career as a safety, he was a three-time Mid-South Conference Player of the Week winner, was named to the Mid-South Conference Appalachian Division All-Conference Team, and earned a spot on the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) All-American Team. In addition, Jackson was named Most Valuable Ram his junior year.
“Playing with Jackson was a blessing,” said former BU teammate DaMarcus Wimbush. “The guy is such a great leader on and off the field.”
Rams defensive coordinator Dino Kaklis agreed and said that Jackson was an intense defensive player.
“He was like a heat-seeking missile out on the field,” Kaklis said.
Jackson took his work in the classroom equally seriously. He maintained a 3.3 grade point average and was frequently named to the school’s Academic Dean’s List.
“I pride myself on being a very intelligent person,” Jackson said. “I made sure I took care of business in the classroom.”
After graduating from Bluefield University in 2019 with a bachelor of science degree, Jackson returned to his hometown in Newport News, Virginia, to work as a parole officer, but he would come back to Bluefield in 2020 after being offered a job to serve as the defensive backs coach for the BU Rams.
“I felt like I wasn’t done with Bluefield,” said Jackson about returning to his alma mater to coach, “and when the opportunity came I knew it was the right thing to do.”
Jackson is also not done with his education. While coaching, he is also pursuing a master’s degree at BU and is set to graduate in the spring of 2023. After that, he hopes to become a teacher and a pillar to the youth.
“I am a voice to the kids,” Jackson said. “Most kids aren’t comfortable talking to teachers who can’t relate to them. Me being a former student at Bluefield and still young, I am here to hear the kids and help them.”
Jackson is also a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, where he helps host events for the community and even clean up around the area.