Dan Jackson brings a wealth of experience to the Vanderbilt staff for his first season in 2022, having helped Northern Illinois to the 2021 Mid-American Conference title following an eight-year stint at South Dakota State that saw the Jackrabbits reach the FCS playoffs each season.
Jackson helped the Vandy defense produce six interceptions in 2022 before they added another 12 in the 2023 campaign. Freshman Martel Hight emerged as the breakout star of 2023, playing in 11 games and becoming the first freshman in school history to return an interception for a touchdown with his pick-six at UNLV.
Jackson joined Northern Illinois in 2020 and helped engineer one of the nation’s best turnarounds in 2021. The Huskies were winless in six games during the 2020 campaign, but went 9-5 in 2021, winning the MAC West Division, MAC championship and an invitation to the Cure Bowl.
Prior to his stint in DeKalb, Illinois, Jackson spent eight seasons at FCS powerhouse South Dakota State. His debut secondary in 2012 allowed just nine passing touchdowns while intercepting 13 passes. The next season, South Dakota State was second in FCS with 22 interceptions. Jackson was elevated to defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator in 2014 and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator in 2019. His 2019 special teams ranked among the top 25 in FCS in five categories and led the subdivision in punt return defense.
Jackson began his coaching career at the high school level as the offensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Burke High School in his native Omaha, Nebraska. He played linebacker for South Dakota State from 2003-05 before graduating from Nebraska-Omaha and earning a master’s degree from South Dakota State.
The Jackson File
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
High School: Burke
College: Nebraska-Omaha (bachelor’s), South Dakota State (master’s in education administration)
Playing Career
2003-05 • South Dakota State
Coaching Career
2012 • South Dakota State • Defensive Assistant
2013 • South Dakota State • Defensive Assistant
2014 • South Dakota State • Defensive Backs
2015 • South Dakota State • Defensive Backs
2016 • South Dakota State • Defensive Backs
2017 • South Dakota State • Defensive Backs
2018 • South Dakota State • Defensive Backs
2019 • South Dakota State • Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams/Cornerbacks/Recruiting Coordinator
2020 • Northern Illinois • Cornerbacks/Co-Special Teams Coordinator
2021 • Northern Illinois • Cornerbacks/Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Pass Defense Coordinator
2022 • Vanderbilt • Defensive Backs
Postseason Experience
2012 • South Dakota State • FCS Playoffs (Second Round)
2013 • South Dakota State • FCS Playoffs (Second Round)
2014 • South Dakota State • FCS Playoffs (Second Round)
2015 • South Dakota State • FCS Playoffs (First Round)
2016 • South Dakota State • FCS Playoffs (Quarterfinals)
2017 • South Dakota State • FCS Playoffs (Semifinals)
2018 • South Dakota State • FCS Playoffs (Semifinals)
2019 • South Dakota State • FCS Playoffs (First Round)
2021 • Northern Illinois • MAC Championship
2021 • Northern Illinois • Cure Bowl