CHARLESTON, S.C. -- As the Bulldogs continue to work their way through the program's annual spring practice slate, The Citadel athletic communications office recently caught up with assistant coaches
Jo Jackson and
Jason Simmons Jr. to discuss the defensive backs and where the unit stands looking ahead to the upcoming 2026 football campaign.
Assistant Coach Jo Jackson | DBs Q&A
Athletic Communications (AC): You lost some veteran production in the secondary. How has the group responded to filling those roles?
Jackson: They've accepted the challenge, and honestly, they don't really have a choice. The guys understand where we are on the back end. A lot of the players who were here the last two or three years are gone, so now it's their time to shine. We've had to go back and emphasize the little things again, but that's been a positive. With only four guys in the room right now, they're getting all the reps, all the coaching, all the film work. Nothing gets missed. Everything is fresh, and they're able to really learn the game and process it at a high level.
AC: What's the benefit of those younger players having a full year in the program, even without much game experience?
Jackson: It gave them a full semester to learn in a classroom setting without the pressure of Saturdays. Most of those guys were essentially redshirted on defense, so they got to sit back, watch others make plays and mistakes, and absorb everything. Now, when they hear something they first learned in October, they're the ones applying it. They've seen it done right and wrong, and now they're getting to execute it themselves. That's a big step in their development.
AC: How important are the increased reps they're getting this spring?
Jackson: It's huge. Everybody is getting equal reps, and we rotate them so they're seeing different personnel groups. They're going against different looks, but the calls stay the same, so it builds consistency. That kind of exposure is going to matter when we get to the fall and they're seeing it on Saturdays.
AC: What's your developmental focus for this group during spring ball?
Jackson: Everything right now is about development. We preach trusting what's being taught -- trusting the system, trusting their keys, trusting what they see. We want them focused on themselves, and when the opportunity comes, make the play. If they don't, then at least put themselves in position so they can make it the next time.
AC: With so many starters gone across the defense, how has this group handled stepping into larger roles?
Jackson: They've owned it. Losing those guys is tough because they were a big part of what we did, but the younger guys have embraced it as their turn. They remember plays from last year and talk about what to do and what not to do. It's kind of crazy to say, but those freshmen are now the upperclassmen in that room. They've accepted that, and I'm excited to see how they compete.
AC: How have the veterans who have come and gone contributed to the room and the culture?
Jackson: We've had a lot of great guys come through, whether they were vocal leaders, classroom leaders or just set the standard in the room. Everybody brought something that helped somebody else, whether it was loud or quiet. That's been big for building the culture of the group.
AC: Do you have vocal leaders emerging in the secondary?
Jackson: Not yet, we're still working on that, but leadership doesn't always have to be loud. You can lead by doing your job and being consistent. We don't want guys yelling just to yell. When someone has something to say, it needs to matter. Right now, we're focused on consistency, and the vocal leadership will come.
AC: What are your goals for the unit heading into the fall?
Jackson: I want our mentality to be that you have to beat us, not that we have to beat you. Every one-on-one rep, I expect us to win. We want to flip the narrative and play with that level of confidence and competitiveness every single snap.
AC: How would you describe your coaching philosophy within this defensive system?
Jackson: We believe you can correct a lot of things with speed and physicality. We want to play fast, play physical and execute. As a defensive staff, we're aligned on almost everything. At the end of the day, it comes down to, 'Did we get the job done?' That's the standard.
AC: How important is building depth moving forward?
Jackson: It's everything. You don't want to rebuild, you want to reload.
Assistant Coach Jason Simmons Jr. | DBs Q&A
AC: You're entering your second year in a full-time role. What has that transition been like?
Simmons: It's been quite the journey. You live and learn as you go. I'm happy to have great mentors in our head coach and defensive coordinator, and I'm learning a lot every day and just trying to do what I can for the guys.
AC: With your family background in coaching, how important has it been for you to establish your own identity?
Simmons: No doubt, that's important. When your dad has had success, you're going to be in that shadow a little bit. But I've leaned into it, embraced it. At the end of the day, I'm
Jason Simmons Jr., not senior. I just want to handle my business, and these past few years here have allowed me to develop.
AC: You lost major production in the secondary, including your two leading tacklers. How do you go about replacing those gaps?
Simmons: It's day-by-day. The biggest thing is the guys have to be themselves -- they can't try to be Tyrik [McDaniel] or Cale [Williams]. Those were great players, and I'm grateful I got to coach them, but we've got talent in the room right now. It's about developing that and letting those guys grow into their own roles.
AC: How critical is spring practice for the development of this group?
Simmons: It's everything. This is really the only time where you can dial in on all the details. We're laying the foundation right now. So it's very important, and I think we're headed in the right direction.
AC: Are there any players standing out from a leadership standpoint?
Simmons: Temarcus Elam is a guy who does things the right way. He's not very vocal -- kind of like how I was as a player -- but there are multiple ways to lead. He does a great job leading by example. He's a downhill safety, his strength is in the box. He's improved in coverage, too, but definitely has shown us a 'power hitter' presence through his willingness to tackle.
AC: How have you grown personally as a coach over the last year?
Simmons: I've taken some big steps. I spent a lot of time studying on my own this offseason, and I was able to go through some professional workshops at the highest level to really help hone my craft. Being around those kinds of minds up at the NFL tier, it can only make you better.
-- #FireThoseCannons --
