PORTLAND, Maine — Jason Jackson has been hired as Deering High School’s new head football coach.
“What impressed me most about Mr. Jackson is that he’s interested in the success of student athletes not just on the field but in the classroom and in life. He understands that is what is important and matters most,” Portland Superintendent Emmanuel Caulk said in a news release.
Jackson said the job is a dream come true.
“I’ve been wanting this job pretty much since I came to Maine in 2008,” he said in the release. “I can’t wait to start working.”
He said he considers being a coach an opportunity to “mentor young men to achieve their best in education, athletics and life.”
Deering Athletic Director Mel Craig said Jackson brings a lot of energy and passion to the job.
“He’s embedded in the Deering community. He lives right down the street. We see him at basketball games,” Craig said. “He’s involved in youth football. We’re looking at him to bring Deering football back to where it should be.”
At the time, Caulk told the BDN that Riddell was not coerced into his decision not to coach the final game of the season or not to reapply for the job next year.
Jackson becomes Deering’s fourth coach in four seasons. Last year’s team finished with a 4-5 record in East Class A.
Jackson is an ed tech at South Portland High School, working in a program for at-risk youth.
His coaching experience includes being an assistant football coach at Cape Elizabeth High School and also head football coach at Cape Elizabeth Middle School. He also is a volunteer football and basketball coach and was an all-state football player in Washington state.
UPDATE: The Portland Superintendent’s name, Emmanuel Caulk, has been corrected.