Jackson began his coaching career in college football, working with teams like Pacific, Cal State Fullerton, and the University of Southern California. His first NFL role came in 2001 when he was hired as the running backs coach for the Washington Redskins. He later held positions with the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens, where he developed a reputation for his offensive coaching skills.
In 2010, Jackson joined the Oakland Raiders as their offensive coordinator. His impact was immediate, with the Raiders improving significantly in offensive rankings. This success led to his promotion to head coach in 2011. Despite a promising start, Jackson was let go after just one season following a change in the team's ownership.
Jackson returned to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012, initially as an assistant to the secondary and special teams coach, before being promoted to running backs coach and then offensive coordinator. His work with the Bengals, particularly in developing their offense, caught the attention of the Cleveland Browns.
In 2016, Jackson was appointed as the head coach of the Browns. His tenure was marked by a significant rebuilding phase for the team, which included a winless 2017 season. Despite this, Jackson was praised for his leadership and commitment to the team. However, after a series of losses in the 2018 season, Jackson was fired by the Browns.
Throughout his career, Jackson has been recognized for his offensive coaching abilities and his ability to develop young players. Despite the challenges he faced as a head coach, his contributions to the teams he worked with were significant. His coaching career is marked by resilience and a deep understanding of the game.
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