Edwardsville native Danny Jackson was hired as the new head coach for the McKendree University baseball program in May 2016.
Jackson spent the previous six seasons on the staff at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator before being elevated to the role of interim head coach last month for the Cougars.
In his role at SIUE, Jackson has coached third base while also serving as the Cougars’ hitting coach. Under his tutelage in 2015, SIUE batted .302 in Ohio Valley Conference play, which ranked fifth in the league. The Cougars also ranked in the top half of the final conference statistical report in home runs (42), doubles (72) and total bases (538).
Over his six seasons, Jackson has coached four OVC All-Freshman team honorees along with a pair of Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-America selections.
Before his arrival at SIUE, Jackson spent three years on the coaching staff at Saint Louis University. Jackson coached first base for the Billikens and worked with the team’s hitters, outfielders and corner infielders. He also planned and organized team travel while also coordinating summer tournaments and baseball camps. Jackson helped SLU to 88 victories during that span, including an Atlantic 10 championship in 2010 and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
In the summer of 2007, Jackson was the hitting coach and first base coach for the El Dorado Broncos of the Jayhawk Baseball Collegiate Summer League, and helped guide the squad to a fourth-place finish at the NBC National baseball Tournament.
Jackson moved into the coaching ranks following a stellar four-year playing career at Wichita State University. Playing for Hall of Fame coach Gene Stephenson, Jackson was a pitcher and first baseman for the Shockers. He was a four-year letterman at Wichita State and helped the program to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances during that span.
In his four seasons at Wichita State, Jackson collected several individual honors. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player following the Shockers’ run to the league’s post-season title in 2005. Jackson was also named the Most Improved Player at Wichita State in 2006 and garnered honorable mention All-MVC honors as a designated hitter in 2007.
Jackson enjoyed a memorable playing career at Edwardsville High School. He was a three-year All-State selection for the Tigers a three-time Player of the Year selection by the Alton Telegraph. Jackson is still the all-time leader in home runs, walks, and runs batted in at Edwardsville.
Jackson and his wife, Jenny, have one son, Sawyer. The Jacksons reside in Edwardsville.
