The University of Missouri Makes Kerrick Jackson First Black Baseball Head Coach in SEC History
Earlier this week, history was made when a Black head coach was hired to lead a baseball team in the Southeastern Conference.
The University of Missouri has made Kerrick Jackson the first Black head coach for the school’s baseball team. With this hire, Jackson also becomes the first Black head coach in the sport of baseball in the history of the Southeastern Conference.
The university which is also known as Mizzou made the announcement on the school’s Twitter account.
A new era for @MizzouBaseball begins!
Welcome our Head Coach, Kerrick Jackson.
š https://t.co/tLNngpPFdZ#MIZ šÆā¾ļø pic.twitter.com/xPKCfdagw5
ā Mizzou Athletics (@MizzouAthletics) June 4, 2023
According to Yahoo! Sports, Jackson, who was once an assistant coach (2011-15) at the University of Missouri, was brought on after the school terminated former head coach, Steve Bieser at the conclusion of the 2023 season. The baseball team hasn’t advanced to the playoffs in over 10 years. Coincidentally, the last time the team did make the postseason back in 2012, Jackson was an assistant to Bieser.
In a written statement, Jackson said, “It’s a great honor to come back to the University of Missouri and lead the baseball program. 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.”
The hiring of Jackson brings a total of four Black men being named head coaches at non-HBCU schools at the top level of college baseball.
“We set out to find a leader of high character with success rejuvenating a program, and we certainly found that in Kerrick Jackson,” Reed-Francois said. “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.”
This past season, as head coach of the University of Memphis, he led the team to 29 victories this season. It was the first time in over 6 years that the team had a winning season. He returns to Columbia after having served as a Mizzou assistant from 2011-15. Jackson previously coached at Southern University from 2018-20 with the baseball team making the NCAA tournament in 2019.
