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| Emmanuel athletics photo |
Following 17 years of coaching the Emmanuel men's basketball team, coach Jamahl Jackson has announced his decision to step down from the position. Jackson notified the athletic department of his resignation on Tuesday, April 3. He will also relinquish his administrative role in the department.
"Emmanuel has been more than just my place of employment for the last 17 years, it's been a second home," said Jackson. "I could write a book about the truly good people and relationships I've fostered over the years. It was time for me to move on, bring some new blood into the athletic department and lead the men's basketball program."
Jackson began his career with the Saints in 2001 as the program's first assistant coach, helping get the program off the ground during the college's transition to a coeducation institution. He served as associate head coach for two seasons before being promoted to head coach prior to the start of the 2004-05 campaign.
For the last 14 seasons, Jackson coached the Saints to a total of 148 wins and 222 losses. He led Emmanuel to 10 Great Northeast Athletic Conference tournament berths including appearances in the GNAC final in 2007 and 2009. Over his tenure, he coached 21 all-conference players and was named the GNAC Coach of the Year in 2006.
The Saints went 83-56 in Jackson's first five seasons, 65-166 over the final nine, with the program bottoming out at 3-22 this past season.
"Emmanuel will always be grateful to Coach Jackson for his years of campus leadership and especially for the critical role that he played in launching our men's basketball program," said Patricia Rissmeyer, Vice President for Student Affairs. "During his 17 years at the college, Coach Jackson recruited outstanding men to play for our basketball program and they are among our finest graduates. Jamahl is a talented professional and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors."
Jackson was a former Division I player for the University of New Hampshire where he received a B.S. in kinesiology.
Jackson said: "The Emmanuel community can attest that wearing multiple hats at the college is the way of life. I truly considered myself more than just the head men's basketball coach. I was a mentor and leader for young people which is truly my passion. The college is thriving with so many great additions on the horizon. I wish the school, community and my colleagues nothing but the best moving forward. I will always bleed royal blue and gold. I will always be thankful for the opportunity to help build the men's basketball program from scratch and assist in so many great young men furthering their education and now contributing to society."
The Emmanuel athletic department will begin a national search for the position.