LITTLE ROCK — Hud Jackson will be introduced as Arkansas-Monticello’s next football coach today, sources with knowledge of the situation said Monday.
Jackson has spent the last six seasons at Central Arkansas, the last two as assistant head coach and running backs coach. He was chosen over four other finalists interviewed by UAM Athletic Director Chris Ratcliff and an organized search committee.
When reached by phone Monday, Ratcliff said the committee conducted their final interview Friday and extended an offer later that evening. A source said Jackson interviewed for the position Friday and accepted over the weekend.
“We opened it up, interviewed five guys,” Ratcliff said. “I can’t confirm or deny who we offered it to.”
UAM will introduce its new coach first at a 10 a.m. news conference at the UAM indoor practice facility, the school announced Sunday. Another news conference will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the University of Arkansas System office. Members of the community are encouraged to attend both events.
Jackson, a former McNeese State quarterback, will replace Gwaine Mathews, who resigned Nov. 22 after six seasons leading the Boll Weevils.
Mathews, who was 22-44 at UAM, said at the time he was stepping down to take a position outside of football and that he also wanted to watch his son Brishen, a safety at Mississippi, continue his collegiate career.
The Boll Weevils, while battling through injuries and suspensions, lost three of their final four games to finish 4-7. Quarterback Scott Buisson, who missed all or part of three games with a broken finger, became the state’s all-time total offense leader at the college level.
Jackson is the fourth offensive assistant to leave UCA in the last two seasons. Jerry Mack left Coach Clint Conque’s staff to become Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s offensive coordinator after last season and Buster Faulkner became offensive coordinator at Murray State.
Jackson was part of an offensive staff that was second in the Southland Conference in total offense (372.2 yards per game), scoring offense (26.9 points per game) and passing offense (253.2) this season.
UCA finished 7-4.
Sports, Pages 21 on 12/14/2010