On July 17, Garon Jackson has been announced as the next Director of Bethune-Cookman Track and Field/Cross Country at Bethune-Cookman University.
"We are thrilled to welcome back Garon Jackson as the next leader of B-CU Track and Field and Cross Country," Athletic Director Reggie Theus said. "He has a unique knowledge of and experience with our program and our university from his time as an assistant, and his outstanding resume leaves no doubt that he will take Wildcats Track and Field and Cross Country to new heights."
Jackson joins the Wildcats after three seasons at Claflin University, where he served as head men's and women's track and field/cross country coach.
"First off, I want to thank Coach [Reggie] Theus and the administration for this amazing opportunity in allowing me the chance to come back to Bethune-Cookman University," Jackson said. "I was at B-CU for over nine years as an assistant coach, and we won a lot of championships. I am coming off being named CIAA Coach of the Year, and I am just ready to come back home and put in the work."
In his most recent season leading the Wildcats, Jackson continued to elevate the program to new heights, highlighted by a historic campaign for the men’s cross country team. Under his guidance, Bethune-Cookman captured its first SWAC Men’s Cross Country Championship in program history, earning Jackson SWAC Coach of the Year honors. Individually, Andrew Kiplegat delivered a standout season, earning SWAC Runner of the Year accolades following his championship performance. Kiplegat added to his success on the track with a gold medal in the 3,000 meters and a silver medal in the 5,000 meters at the SWAC Indoor Championships. He also broke the program record in the men’s 5,000 meters during the track & field indoor season. The Wildcats also saw strong performances in field events, as Michael Carter claimed gold in the long jump, Jordan Riche secured bronze in the weight throw, and Kasie Ugeh earned bronze in the shot put, further showcasing the program’s continued growth across multiple disciplines.
It didn't take long for Jackson to make a great impact on the Panthers' cross country and track & field programs during his first three seasons as head coach. In February of 2023, he led Claflin University to the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men's Indoor Track & Field Championship -- the first in school history and the first men's CIAA championship in school history as well. For his efforts, Jackson was named 2023 CIAA Men's Indoor Coach of the Year.
Prior to his time at Claflin, Jackson spent nine years as assistant coach at B-CU under Head Coach Donald Cooper. Garon took charge of the Cross Country program and worked with distance runners.
During his time at B-CU, the Wildcats won two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track & Field championships (2015, 2016) and three MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships (2014, 2015, and 2016) along with three different individual MEAC champions, among several other honors.
"It means a lot coming back to Bethune-Cookman because it is a part of my history," Jackson said. "I am from a town outside Sumter, and the history of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and everything she stood for, and everything we accomplished at Bethune-Cookman when I was an assistant coach - it means so much to me. I want to also thank Donald Cooper for the opportunity afforded to me previously in arriving to Bethune-Cookman, and the opportunity to develop. It means a lot to me and my family."
Jackson also spent five seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, Voorhees College. During his stint at Voorhees, Jackson produced several National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Qualifiers as well as All-Americans and an NAIA National Champion.
Jackson was also an accomplished athlete himself. He was an NAIA National Qualifier in the 800 and 1500 meters after wrapping his prep career as a South Carolina High School State Champion in the 800 and 1600 meters.
As a collegiate competitor, Jackson competed as a middle/long distance runner for the Tigers. He still holds the Voorhees and Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC) records in the 800, 1500, 5000, and 10000 meters in addition to cross country records. Jackson was the EIAC Most Valuable Runner for four years in cross country and three years in Track and Field, finishing undefeated at the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC) Championships throughout his entire collegiate career.
Jackson was named to the Sumter (SC) Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
Jackson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Voorhees in 1999 and a Master's in Sports Administration from Southern New Hampshire University in 2019.
Jackson is married to Kim Jackson and they have three children -- Jalen, Ciara and Javontae.
He is a USA Track & Field (USATF) Level II Endurance Coach and holds a Strength & Conditioning Coach Certification from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Coach Jackson is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and in August 2020 he was chosen to participate in the TruNorth Sports Coach Development Academy.
