Mark Jackson (college coach)

Mark Jackson

• Schools Penn State University

• Born ~1957

Biographical Information

Mark Jackson is a veteran college coach.

Jackson spent seven seasons as head coach at the University of Pittsburgh from 1991-1997. He led Pitt to the Big East Conference title in 1994 and was 183-143-3 in his time at Pitt. While there, he helped develop Jason Conti and Jason Rakers. He was 443-119-4 in two stints at Point Park University (1984-1990, 1998-2002), setting a school record for wins. He was named American Mideast Conference Coach of the Year in 2001 and took Point Park to the NAIA College World Series five times. He coached Bobby Madritsch and Don Kelly at Point Park. Prior to beginning his coaching career with Point Park, Jackson was a full time Social Studies teacher at Malvern Preparatory School. He gave up financial security to take the Point Park position, which was a part time job with a $2,500 salary, plus free room and board.

Jackson was an assistant coach at Duquesne University from 2003 to 2005. In 2007, he was 32-18 at Texas A&M International University, then spent July through December of 2009 at Philadelphia University. In 2010, he became head coach at West Chester University of Pennsylvania; entering his career there, his record was 658-280-7. After only two seasons at West Chester, he was replaced by Jad Prachniak.

Jackson was a 2007 inductee into the Point Park athletic Hall of Fame.

In 2015, he became the head coach of Penn State Greater Allegheny. After one year, he moved to Montgomery County Community College then returned to Penn State Greater Allegheny. It is unclear how long his second stint there lasted.

Sources include: West Chester bio, Point Park website