Forrest Jackson is in his seventh year coaching at Tuskegee University, coaching linebackers since 2011.
In 2016 and 2017 , Jackson coached linebacker Osband Thompson who was named the SIAC Defensive Player of the Year in back to back seasons. Jackson also coached Davoris Thomas who was second on the team in tackles and ranked inside the Top 15 in the league.
In 2016 his group helped lead the SIAC in total defense averaging 264.5 yards per game.
In 2015, the Golden Tigers allowed just 18.46 points per game throughout the season in which they finished 10-3 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The defense allowed just 112.2 yards per game rushing and 184.54 yards passing per game. The team tied the school record for interceptions in a game with five against Morehouse in October during the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic in Columbus.
Jackson coached senior linebacker Jewell Ratliff who finished among the best in the conference and in the country in tackles, and was named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player and Defensive Player of the Year. The senior also was named to nine different All-American teams, a pair of All-Region teams and was named Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year by HERO Sports and Don Hansen. The senior scored a pair of touchdowns via interception returns, one by fumble return and one off a blocked kick.
Ratliff was also a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award - given annually to the best defensive player in the country in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Last season, Jackson coached a trio of linebackers who led the team in tackles - combining for 317 total tackles. The trio of
Ratliff, Osband Thompson and Jason Ashley combined for six sacks, 29 tackles for loss and eight interceptions - including
returning four for touchdowns.
Ashley was also named CoSIDA Academic All-District (first team) and was named Second Team CoSIDA All-America.
He has been a part of two SIAC championships in 2012 and 2014, and part of the NCAA Division II playoff teams of 2013 and 2014. In 2012, Tuskegee’s defense was the top- ranked team in the SIAC in several categories, which included scoring defense, total defense, turnover margin, red zone defense and rushing defense. They were also ranked in the Top 10 nationally in several categories that included scoring defense, turnover margin, total defense and passes intercepted.
As a member of Tuskegee’s staff, Jackson has also coached many athletes that have received post-season accolades including: Isaiah Person (2011 First-Team SIAC), Quavon Taylor (2012 First-Team SIAC and 2012 Third-Team All-America) and Osband Thompson (2014 SIAC Freshman of the Year).
Jackson started his football-coaching career in 2003 at the University of West Georgia (Carrollton, Ga.), as a graduate assistant, coaching linebackers.
Following West Georgia, Jackson coached seven years at Eastern Illinois University, from 2004 until 2010. While there, Jackson coached linebackers for five years and the defensive line for two.
While serving at Eastern Illinois, the 2006 Panthers’ defense was the top-ranked team nationally in takeaways and in 2005, they were ranked second nationally. They also produced the top rushing defense in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2005.
While coaching at Eastern Illinois, the team conference championship in 2005, 2006 and 2009. They were also FCS playoff participants in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.
He produced two All-American linebackers, Donald Thomas (2005) and Clint Sellers (2006) and six other all-conference players. Thomas and Sellers were the OVC defensive players of their respective years.
A standout player at West Georgia, Jackson was a three-time All-Gulf South Conference selection, 2000-2002, helping the team capture the 2000 GSC title and earning a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Jackson is member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
The Lakeland, Fla., native received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Mass Communications from West Georgia.
He is the father of one son, Jaison.
