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WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Athletic Director Todd Thurman announced Monday that Jared Jackson has been hired as the department's new Head Strength & Conditioning Coach. Jackson has held the position on an interim basis since February.
 
"After an extensive search to find our new Strength Coach, it's almost ironic because we ended up where we started," Thurman said. "Jared Jackson has been here for two years working with our student-athletes and all of our coaches felt comfortable with his training. I'm confident in his abilities to lead our Strength & Conditioning Program and excited for him to be staying with us."
 
Jackson has been at SWOSU since August 2013, working under former strength coach Kevin Hyde as a graduate assistant for nearly two full years. In that time, he has assisted with the strength and conditioning efforts of each SWOSU program while leading select teams through their workouts while completing work on his master's degree. Jackson also assisting in the renovation efforts for the SWOSU Strength & Conditioning Center, which reopened in January 2015 after undergoing a $350,000 renovation and expansion of more than 2,500 square feet.
 
Jackson has earned the Sports Performance Coach Certification (USAW) and will soon complete work to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He has also earned certifications for CPR/AED and First Aid.
 
"I'm very excited to see that my hard work the past two years has paid off and that I get the opportunity to continue working with the teams here at SWOSU," Jackson said upon his appointment. "I would like to thank Coach Hyde for giving me the opportunity to start my career here and Coach Thurman and the search committee for allowing me to continue building myself as a coach here at SWOSU."
 
His career in strength training came following a standout football playing career at SWOSU's Great American Conference-rival, Northwestern Oklahoma State, where Jackson was a four-time all-conference performer for the Rangers, including a second team All-GAC selection as a return specialist in 2012. He led Northwestern in rushing his freshman and junior seasons and ranked second as a sophomore and senior. In total, he finished his career with 2,422 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground, including a school-record seven rushing TDs in a game against Texas College his freshman season.
 
A native of Moore, Okla., Jackson earned his bachelor's degree in Health and Sports Science Management from NWOSU in May 2013 and he is on pace to complete his master's degree in Sports Management from SWOSU next month.
 
 
THE JACKSON FILE
 
Coaching Career
2015 – Present: Southwestern Oklahoma State (Director of Strength & Conditioning)
2013 – 15: Southwestern Oklahoma State (Graduate Assistant/Strength & Conditioning)
 
Education
Southwestern Oklahoma State
   Masters of Education, Sports Management, May 2015
 
Northwestern Oklahoma State
   Bachelors of Applied Arts & Science, Health and Sport Sciences, May 2013
 
What others are Saying about Jared Jackson:
 
"Jared was a tough, hard-nosed running back for us at Northwestern and he made himself into the college football player that he was by what he did in the weight room during his career. I foresee that he will be an outstanding addition to the staff at SWOSU because he exemplifies what he will be teaching those young men."
     - Keith Barefield, Head Football Coach, Southeastern University
 
"Jared will put in the time to prepare our student-athletes for success and victory. He has worked hard and sacrificed for this opportunity and he will do a great job as our strength coach."
     - Bob Battisti, SWOSU Head Men's Basketball Coach
 
"Coach Kevin Hyde really boosted our program with the strength and conditioning aspects he installed and Jared is doing a lot of those same things while adding his own personal touch. I think our players have really made strides while working with him this spring and I think it's a good decision we've made by hiring him."
     - Dan Cocannouer, SWOSU Head Football Coach
 
"I am thrilled that Jared will be taking over the strength & conditioning program at SWOSU. From the moment I brought him in as an assistant two years ago, he's been a tremendous asset to the strength program and athletic department. He has a great work ethic and a passion for learning, teaching and motivating, which has earned the respect of the athletes and trust of the coaching staff. There is no doubt in my mind that he will elevate the strength & conditioning program for all of our teams. SWOSU got a great one in Coach Jackson!"
     - Kevin Hyde, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Memphis Redbirds