| ||||||||||
Jay Jackson
Top Assistant Coach
Jay Jackson enters his fifth year as Stanford's top assistant. A former Stanford wrestler, Jackson was a two-time team captain, three-time Pac-10 placewinner, two-time NCAA qualifier, and two-time Outstanding Wrestler for the Cardinal. As a sophomore, he placed 5th in the Espoir Nationals and was a top-twelve performer in the NCAA the following year.
Coach Jackson is one of the best technicians on the West Coast, and is a huge reason for Stanford's recent success. Under Coach Jackson's tutelage, Stanford has sent ten wrestlers to the NCAA in the past three seasons. A tenacious competitor, he stresses constant attacks from the feet, and has instilled a high level of mental toughness in the Stanford team members. He has also contributed greatly to the wrestling program's fundraising and community outreach efforts.
Coach Jackson hails from Mercer Island, WA where he was coached by his father, Paul Jackson, at Mercer Island High School. He finished first and fourth in the Washington state high school tournament.
After graduating from Stanford, he stayed on as Stanford's chief assistant from 1995 through 1997. In 1996, he placed 7th in the National Open at 136.5 lbs.
The year following his success at the Open, he left Stanford to pursue a Masters Degree in Education from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. At PLU, Jackson served as the chief assistant to a team that claimed three All-Americans, an NAIA finalist, and a ninth-place finish at the NAIA National Tournament.
Following his stint at PLU, Jackson began teaching English and History and coaching wrestling in Marysville, WA. In his two years as head coach of the Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks, he coached four league champions and one state champion. Coach Jackson and his wife, Laurie, currently reside in Fremont, CA.