An Influential Playbook: Men’s Varsity Football Offensive Coordinator Kenny Jackson

By Fabian Anguiano

Kenny Jackson is entering his second year as Ranger Football’s offensive coordinator after a very successful first year. From playing flag football as a kid to training pro-level athletes, Jackson has come a long way.

Born in 1983, Jackson started playing football at just the age of three through an organized flag football league. The minimum age requirement in order to play was four, so his parents lied to the league about his age in order for him to play. 

Jackson was living in the golden era of the Dallas Cowboys during his childhood. Jackson grew up watching legends such as Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, and Troy Aikman. Watching them compete and win a Super Bowl ultimately developed his passion for the game of football.

Jackson was a standout at both the high school and college level; the biggest difference in play to him was, “The level of competition, both in practice and during games. In high school, I competed at a high level against talented athletes, but college football took that level of competition to an entirely different standard. At the University of Central Florida, I was surrounded by and competed against some of the best athletes in the country,” said Jackson.

Jackson has had the opportunity to play alongside future NFL standouts such as Brandon Marshall. Jackson also had the opportunity to compete against future NFL stars such as Chris Johnson and Tim Tebow. These experiences pushed Jackson to elevate his game and challenge himself in ways that high school football couldn’t.

Another big difference was the, “ Level of resources and support available to college athletes. The resources provided at the college level were far beyond anything I had experienced in high school. We had access to extensive training and support, meals provided through our facilities, police escorts to games, and, in some instances, private air travel.”

While high school gave Jackson the foundation and competitiveness he needed, college exposed him to a more elite level.

The person who inspired Jackson to start coaching was, “ My wide receivers coach at the University of Central Florida, Coach D.J. McCarthy, inspired me to pursue coaching. Coach McCarthy had an extensive coaching background,” said Jackson.

McCarthy had experience as a wide receivers coach at LSU, UCLA, and the University of Nevada, Reno. McCarthy also had coaching experience with the Oakland Raiders before coaching Jackson at Central Florida.

During Jackson’s time as a player, McCarthy made Jackson recognize something in himself that he did not fully recognize at the time. McCarthy noticed the way Jackson practiced and communicated with his teammates, and how he approached the game. He would tell Jackson that he had a different vision for the game, and that he would make a great coach one day.

Jackson has had the opportunity to coach at numerous levels of football and in different regions of the country. From coaching at the high school level, the Junior College level, to the NCAA level. Coach Jackson is a seasoned veteran in coaching.

The coaching experience that has meant the most to Jackson was, “Being the offensive coordinator at Mission Oak High School in Tulare, California. During my time at Mission Oak, our program achieved significant success, including winning a Valley Championship and a Section Championship, while also advancing to the California State Championship.”

Appearing in the state championship meant a lot to Jackson, as they were the first team in the history of Tulare to reach a state championship. Reaching the state championship was a reflection of the hard work and commitment from the players, coaches, and community.

One of the biggest challenges Jackson has faced over the years as a coach has been balancing his commitment to coaching with his family. Jackson is deeply committed to his family, and coaching can make it difficult.

“There have been many weeks when I would finish my regular job and go directly to football practice, spending long hours at the field before finally returning home. By the time I walked through the door, my children were already asleep,” said Jackson

 There were many nights when Jackson missed the everyday moments that can easily be taken for granted. Those moments have always weighed heavily on Jackson, as he understands that time with his family is something he can never get back.

Jackson has had the opportunity over the years to train several athletes who participated in NFL pro days, and several athletes who have gotten invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. This has exposed Jackson to a more professional football environment, and it showed Jackson the steps athletes need to go through in order to get to the next level.

One of the qualities that Jackson has that makes him unique as a coach is, “I am not committed to doing things one way simply because that is how they have always been done. I believe in adapting my philosophy and approach to the personnel and strengths of the team.”

Jackson added to this, “I am a true student of the game. I spend a significant amount of time studying film, researching different schemes and philosophies, learning from other coaches, and attending coaching clinics to continue expanding my knowledge. I believe that the best coaches never stop learning.”

Jackson found his way to Redwood through head coach Curtis Allen, as he is one of Jackson’s mentors. When Allen got the head coaching job, he asked Jackson to come and join him, and it was a no-brainer; Jackson would follow Allen anywhere but hell.

In Jackson’s first year as OC, the offense averaged 39.5 points per game. Jackson doesn’t believe that setting a certain number of points is a sign of offensive success. The goal is always simple: win the football game. Whether that means averaging 12 points per game and winning, then so be it.

Every team is different, and every season presents a different set of circumstances. To Jackson, the coaching philosophy must be built around the personnel they have and the strengths the team has.

The offense that is expected from this Ranger team this season consists of, “ Multiple formations, multiple personnel groupings, and multiple offensive styles. We are not going to be a team that is committed to one system regardless of the opponent or the personnel we have,” said Jackson.

The game plan will be built around one objective: Doing whatever gives them the best chance to beat the team they are playing that week.

If that means running the ball 90% of the time, they will run the ball 90% of the time. If the certain matchup indicates that they should throw the ball 90% of the time, they will do so 90% of the time. They will adjust no matter what in order to walk out victorious.

After every victory, Jackson does a powerful chant to hype the team up; the following is how the chant goes, and each saying is repeated back to Jackson. “WE GON FIGHT. WE GON FIGHT. UNTIL WE CAN’T FIGHT NO MORE. CAN’T FIGHT NO MORE.” Jackson has done chants similar to this his entire life as a player, and it was just a tradition that he wanted to bring over to Redwood.

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