The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 17 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has added one more analyst to his offensive staff, and it's an- other familiar face. Former U-M assistant Fred Jackson, a Wolverines assistant coach from 1992 to 2014, will return to the staff after seven years away from the program. Jackson, the team's running backs coach up to 2014, was hired by Gary Moeller in 1992, and then held assistant and associate head coach titles under Lloyd Carr in addition to his running back duties. He even served as offensive coordinator for two years in 1995-96 and worked with both Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke before Harbaugh arrived in 2015. The 72-year-old had been working as dean of students at Ypsilanti High School since 2015 after Harbaugh brought his own staff to Ann Arbor. "We're fired up to have him," Harbaugh told reporters at the Ferris State Mega-camp in June. Jackson is expected to assist Harbaugh with day-to-day operations and game plans, and to work with running backs coach Mike Hart, one of his former players (2004-07). Hart remains U-M's all-time leading rusher, while Doak Walker Award winner Chris Perry, All- American Tyrone Wheatley, and NFL backs Tshimanga Biakabutuka and Anthony Thomas were among Jackson's other top students. The 2001 American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year, Jackson helped develop eight backs who were picked in the NFL Draft. He also helped the Wolverines win six Big Ten titles and the national crown in 1997 during his time at Ann Arbor. Hart gave his former coach a shoutout during his first press conference with the media in 2021. "Coach J. — just a great guy," he said. "I think someone who does it that long has a lot of knowledge. He's seen the highs, the lows. He's seen all types of running backs. "A lot of who I am as a coach is from Coach Jackson, the things I've been taught, the things I teach my guys … ball security, whatever that is, it comes from Coach J." They still talked when Hart got to town. "I still consider him one of my mentors," Hart said. A Baton Rouge, La., native, Jackson coached at Toledo, Wisconsin, Navy, South Carolina, Purdue and Vanderbilt before arriving at Michigan, where he became one of U-M's top recruiters. He was also head coach at Ypsilanti High from 2015 to 2017. He's now back where he belongs, some would say, ready to add to a coaching staff with plenty of U-M history. — Chris Balas Former Michigan Assistant Fred Jackson Back As Analyst Former U-M assistant Fred Jackson returns to the pro- gram in an analyst role after a seven-year absence. The 2001 American Football Coaches Association Assis- tant Coach of the Year, Jackson coached eight running backs who were picked in the NFL Draft. He also helped the Wolverines win six Big Ten titles and the national crown in 1997 during his time in Ann Arbor. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Subscribe to The Wolverine Magazine! The Wolverine magazine is the foremost source for analysis, information and opinions on Michigan football, recruiting and other sports! A one-year subscription includes: ORDER ONLINE: www.TheWolverineOnDemand.com Order 24 hours a day from our online store! OR CALL: 800-421-7751 10:00-4:00 ET, Mon.-Fri. 919-688-0218 if outside the U.S. THEWOLVERINE.COM | MARCH 2022 | $4.95 THEWOLVERINE.COM | MARCH 2022 | $4.95 THEWOLVERINE.COM | FEBRUARY 2022 | $4.95 THEWOLVERINE.COM | FEBRUARY 2022 | $4.95 THEWOLVERINE.COM THEWOLVERINE.COM Subscription plans start at $44.99 for digital-only delivery and $66.99 for print/digital delivery. First-class postage upgrades are available. Sales tax may be added where applicable. Makes a terrific gift for your Michigan Fan! Starting at $44.99 PLUS: Online Access To Digital Editions Current and archived digital editions of The Wolverine can be read on computers, smart phones, or tablets! One Year Of The Wolverine: 11 full-color, information-packed issues, mailed monthly (except in June). The Wolverine Football Preview: The 160-page, full-color, action- packed magazine filled with great information about the upcoming season. The Wolverine Now Newsletter: Our digital football-season newsletter, emailed every pre-game Thursday and post-game Sunday.