The Citadel Athletics

Former Bulldog linebacker and assistant coach Raleigh Jackson returns to The Citadel to serve as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for head coach Maurice Drayton.
 
Jackson returns to the Lowcountry after spending the 2022 season as the linebackers coach at Central Arkansas, helping the Bears capture the A-Sun Championship. Linebacker DC Charles finished third in the A-Sun in tackles.
 
Prior to his one season in Conway, Jackson spent three seasons as the defensive line coach at Henderson State. In his first season in Arkadelphia, the Reddies finished second in the league with 77 tackles for loss. Pass rushers Robert Thomas and Josh Puryear each earned All-GAC recognition, while a trio of upperclassmen had their best seasons of their career.
 
Before arriving at Henderson, Jackson served as the defensive coordinator at Arkansas Tech in 2017-18In his first season, the Wonder Boy defense led the Great American Conference in scoring defense, yards per play, takeaways, fourth-down defense, red-zone defense, defensive pass efficiency and sacks.
 
Jackson’s two years as the defensive coordinator marked his second stint at Arkansas Tech. He originally joined the staff as the linebackers coach in 2013, before serving as the co-defensive coordinator in 2014-15.
 
The 2015 season saw the Wonder Boys go 9-3 and capture the C.H.A.M.P.S Heart of Texas Bowl. The defense finished in the Top-25 nationally in nine statistical categories, including scoring defense, rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, tackles-for-loss, and turnovers. The defense was anchored by the GAC’s all-time leading tackler, Logan Genz, who was tabbed the 2015 GAC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American.
 
In between his time at Tech, Jackson spent the 2016 season as the defensive coordinator at Delta State. In his one season, he coached a pair of all-conference linebackers that ranked among the GSC leaders in tackles.
 
The 2012 season saw Jackson work as the linebackers coach at Slippery Rock University.
 
Prior to his time in Division II, Jackson served as the outside linebacker and tight ends coach at The Citadel. During his one season, the Bulldogs ranked fourth in the FCS in rushing at 286.6 yards per game.
 
Jackson’s first college coaching position came at Missouri Southern, where he coached defensive line, linebackers, and took on recruiting coordinator responsibilities, from 2008 to 2010. During his time with the Lions, Jackson coached three All-Americans, including Baltimore Ravens’ draftee Brandon Williams.
 
Jackson got his first opportunity in coaching in 2007 as the defensive ends coach at Goose Creek High School.
 
He was a four-year letterwinner for the Bulldogs, starting 17 games at inside and outside linebacker. Jackson graduated from The Citadel in 2007 with a degree in history.