University of Florida football
head coach Urban Meyer announced the
hiring of former Gator Great Terry
Jackson to the Gator football staff Monday. Jackson, a member of UF’s 1996 National Championship team and seven-year veteran
of the National Football League, was named Director of Player and Community
Relations.
"Terry
is a great addition to our football staff,” Meyer said. “He is someone who is
very committed and loyal to The Gator Nation and a great ambassador for our football
program. He will be a tremendous mentor, leader and role model for our players.
He has excelled at every endeavor - from serving as Student Body Vice-
President and playing on the 1996 National Championship to his career in the
NFL. He is deeply rooted in the local community and we are excited to have him
join our staff.”
A native of
Gainesville, Jackson played in 36 games in his collegiate
career with 16 starts. He also played in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl, 1997 Sugar Bowl
and started the 1999 Orange Bowl. Jackson
had 321 career carries for 1,794 yards (5.6 avg.) and 17 touchdowns. He also
had 59 career receptions for 645 yards (10.9 avg.) and four touchdowns. Jackson lettered at Florida
from 1995-98 after a redshirt year in 1994.
“It is an
honor to come back and work at my alma mater,” said Jackson. “I’ve been fortunate enough to grow
up in Gainesville
and have a chance to live out all of my childhood dreams, from playing for the
Gators and winning a national championship to playing in the NFL. Coming back
to work with the University
of Florida football
program has also been a dream of mine.”
Jackson graduated from Florida in December of 1998 following an
outstanding academic career. He was named to the 1998 GTE Academic All-America
Second Team and was a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection. He received
an Outstanding Senior Leadership Award from the University upon graduation and
was the Student Body Vice-President for the 1998-99 academic year.
Following
his career at UF, Jackson was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the
1999 NFL Draft in the fifth round (157th overall). He remained with
the franchise through the 2005 season.
At P.K. Yonge, Jackson
was a versatile performer who garnered first-team all-state (2A) honors as a
defensive back in 1993. He registered 99 tackles (63 solo) with two
interceptions on defense, while rushing for 572 yards (7.4 per carry) with five
touchdowns, as well as 14 catches for 183 yards as the squad's fullback.
Jackson's father,
Willie Sr., played football at UF from 1969-71, as did his brother, Willie Jr.,
from 1990-92.
End of
Report
