Tremaine Jackson is entering his second season as head football coach at Prairie View A&M University, having taken over the program on January 1, 2025. In his first year leading the Panthers, Jackson engineered one of the most impactful turnarounds in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, quickly establishing a new standard and culture that produced immediate results.
Jackson’s debut season in Prairie View was highlighted by a 7-1 SWAC record, earning him 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors. His success also garnered statewide recognition, as he was named the 2025 Non-FBS All-Texas Coach of the Year. Bringing much of his coaching staff with him from Valdosta State, Jackson implemented a culture rooted in accountability, competitiveness, and belief an approach that paid dividends as the Panthers emerged as one of the league’s top teams in his first season at the helm.
Prior to arriving at Prairie View A&M, Jackson built a national reputation during a highly successful tenure at Valdosta State University. In 2025, he was named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Division II Coach of the Year, becoming only the third head coach in Valdosta State history to earn the prestigious honor. That season, Jackson led the Blazers to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game against Ferris State University.
Jackson capped off a historic 2024 campaign with a perfect 13-0 record, guiding Valdosta State to its 11th Gulf South Conference (GSC) championship with a flawless 6-0 league mark. He was also named GSC Co-Coach of the Year, while overseeing one of the most efficient offenses in Division II football. The Blazers finished ranked among the top 15 nationally in passing offense, first downs, and completion percentage, and quarterback Sammy Edwards earned recognition as a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist.
Across five seasons as a head coach, Jackson compiled an impressive 40-11 overall record, including a 30-8 mark at Valdosta State. The 13-win season marked just the fifth time in program history the Blazers reached that milestone.
Earlier in his Valdosta State tenure, Jackson made history in his second season by becoming the first Black head coach to win a GSC championship and the only non-HBCU Black coach to achieve the distinction. That year, the Blazers finished 10-1, earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, and closed the regular season with a decisive 58-28 victory over West Georgia.
Jackson’s impact extended beyond the field, as he emphasized academic excellence and community engagement. Valdosta State posted its highest team GPA in program history (2.84) during the 2023 season, with 54 student-athletes earning a 3.0 GPA or higher. His teams were also active in community outreach efforts, including Habitat for Humanity projects and Earth Day cleanups.
Nationally, Jackson has been recognized as one of the rising leaders in the profession. He was named to ESPN’s list of 45 minority coaches under 45 to watch and selected for FootballScoop’s Minority Watch List. He has also completed two NFL Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowships, spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Before his tenure at Valdosta State, Jackson served as head coach at Colorado Mesa University, where he guided the Mavericks to a 10-3 record and orchestrated several historic victories, including an upset of a top-five ranked opponent. His coaching career also includes stops at Texas State University, Abilene Christian University, and the University of Sioux Falls.
A former defensive lineman, Jackson began his collegiate playing career at Texas Southern University before transferring to the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston in 2006.
Off the field, Jackson is a strong advocate for minority coaching advancement, serving as Vice President of the Minority Coaches Advancement Association, and he was honored with the 2022 Harry Butler Community Service Award for his commitment to leadership and service.
With a proven track record of success, mentorship, and program-building, Jackson continues to elevate Prairie View A&M football as he enters his second season leading the Panthers.
A native of Houston, Texas, Jackson is the proud father of one daughter, Harmony.
