The 2024-25 Season was Dr. Jamaal Jackson's ninth year at the helm of the Thorobred Men's Basketball Program.
During the 2023-24 season, Dr. Jackson became the third winningest coach in program history, and the winningest coach in the NCAA era at Kentucky State University. Since Jackson has been the Head Coach at Kentucky State, five Thorobreds have been named to the All-SIAC squad, three voted as BoxToRow.com Division II All-Americans, and one voted as a CCA All-South Region Team Member. During his coaching tenure, fifteen Kentucky State University student-athletes have signed professional contracts.
Jackson came to Frankfort from Bluefield State College, where he served as Head Men’s Basketball Coach for five seasons. He was hired on the eve of the 2011-2012 season as the Interim Head Coach before being named Head Coach at the conclusion of the season. While at Bluefield State, Jackson coached one member of the WVIAC All-Conference team, three members of the ICAA All-Conference team, one All-ECAC Team Member, and two BoxToRow.com Division II All-American Team Members. Following his year as Interim Head Coach, Jackson increased upon the previous season’s win total during each season as Bluefield State College’s Head Coach. Bluefield State finished the 2014-15 season with their highest win total since 1995-96. Jackson’s team also ranked first nationally in fewest turnovers during the 2014-15 season.
Before arriving in Bluefield, Jackson served for three seasons as an assistant coach at Stillman College. During Jackson’s first year with the program, the Tigers experienced a six-game win improvement over the previous season. During his second, Stillman experienced a seven-game win improvement over the previous season, as well as the school’s first ever ranking in the NCAA Division II Top 25. During his third season, Stillman finished with a 24-8 record, which was a 10 win improvement over the previous season. The Tigers advanced to the 2011 NCAA South Regional Championship. While at Stillman, he recruited and coached two All-SIAC Team Members, and one Daktronics and boxtorow.com Division II All-American Team member.
Prior to his stint at Stillman, Jackson was an assistant at Kentucky State University from 2004-2008. While at Kentucky State, Jackson coached the 2008 SIAC Player of the Year. He served as a Student Assistant Coach during the 2000-2001 season, helping the Thorobreds win the 2001 SIAC Tournament Championship and earn a berth in the NCAA National Tournament.
During the 1998-1999 season, Jackson was an intern on the staff of The Ohio State University’s Men’s Basketball Program, as they advanced to the NCAA Final Four.
After graduating from Kentucky State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education, Jackson went on to earn a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching Physical Education from the University of West Alabama and a Master of Public Administration Degree from Kentucky State University. He earned a Doctorate Degree at Morehead State University, focusing on Adult and Higher Education Leadership.
Jackson is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, where he sits on the Division II Congress. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Jackson has served as Chair of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's Men's Basketball Coaches Committee as a member of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball South Regional Advisory Committee. He also serves as a member of the Athletes in Action HBCU Leadership Committee.
Coach Jackson is an active member of the community as well. In December of 2020, Jamaal was appointed by Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission, and in 2022 he was appointed by Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson to the Frankfort Board of Parks Commissioners. Jackson serves as a Board Member of Swim with Purpose, the Blue Grass Community Foundation Scholarship Committee, and the Project Ricochet Health Advisory Board. Kentucky State’s Men’s Basketball Program was a finalist for the 2022 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence, which recognizes community engagement and leadership.
In 2021, Dr. Jackson was a recipient of the Image Award from the Kentucky State University National Alumni Association, recognizing his professional distinction and loyalty to Kentucky State University. In 2023, Jackson was recognized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches with the Guardians of the Game Pillar Award for Education, honoring the positive role that he plays in the lives of student-athletes and the contributions that he makes to the community and society at large. In 2019 Dr. Jackson was selected to serve as a coach at the inaugural NCAA College Basketball Academy. Jackson coached the East Team in the 2022 Reece’s NABC All-Star Game, and led the HBCU Team to victory in the 2024 Classic for Columbus HBCU vs Ohio All-Star Classic.
Jamaal and his wife Mary, reside in Frankfort, and have one son and one daughter, Jairus and Laila.
