Jackson recommended for head coaching job
Former Russellville head football coach Michael Jackson has been recommended for the head football coach position at Red Bay High School. The recommendation will not be official until it is approved by the school board on June 17.
RED BAY – The Red Bay Tigers could soon have a new head football coach if the current recommendation is approved by the Franklin County School Board next Tuesday.
According to Franklin County Superintendent Gary Williams, a recommendation from Red Bay High School principal Kenny Sparks was sent to Williams on Friday stating former Russellville head football coach Michael Jackson was the person Sparks had selected to fill the open position.
Williams said he would stand behind Sparks’ choice and would officially recommend Jackson to be hired as the new RBHS head football coach.
However, he said the recommendation would have to be approved by the school board at their June 17th meeting before it would be official, but he didn’t foresee any issues.
“If the board approves Michael Jackson as the new head football coach at Red Bay, I think this would be a great hire for our system,” Williams said.
“[Jackson] has a lot of experience and would be a great asset to the football program at Red Bay.”
The head coaching position officially became available at Red Bay following the resignation of two-year head football coach John Ritter after the varsity spring jamboree game on May 16.
Ritter listed family obligations and a need to have more free time to spend with his wife, Lauren, who is expecting their first child, as the reason for his decision to leave.
Ritter accepted a position as the defensive and strength coordinator at Deshler High School, which he said would be less demanding than a head coaching position.
Jackson officially resigned his position as head coach and athletic director for the Golden Tigers on January 22 after a disappointing season for RHS.
Jackson served as an assistant coach at Russellville from 1993-2002 when he accepted the head coaching position at Buckhorn before the 2002 season.
He compiled a 53-47 record during his time at Buckhorn, including a trip to the state championship game during his fourth season as head coach.
Jackson remained at Buckhorn until he was hired to replace Doug Goodwin as Russellville’s head football coach in March 2011.
Jackson, a 1987 RHS grad, was the first Russellville alum to hold the head coaching position.
In three seasons with RHS, Jackson compiled an 18-15 record before stepping down this year.
