By T. Scott Boatright
Grambling State University is searching for a new men’s basketball coach after news broke Thursday of Donte Jackson agreeing to become the new head coach at Alabama A&M University.
A press conference was held Thursday afternoon to name Jackson as the new head coach of the AA&M men’s basketball team.
Jackson spent seven seasons as head coach at GSU, where he notched an overall record of 132-124 (.516).
He led his team to the 2023-24 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament, guiding the Tigers to a 88-81 First Four play-in game victory over Montana State before they fell to No. 1 seed Purdue 78-50.
Jackson’s G-Men finished 12-22 overall and 7-11 in the SWAC this past season.
Last June, Grambling State signed Jackson, the 2024 SWAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year, to a contract extension through the 2028-29 season.
At Alabama A&M, Jackson will take over for Otis Hughley, who resigned last month after three seasons overseeing the Bulldogs’ men’s basketball program.
Jackson first made a name for himself at Stillman College, leading that program to a 27-6 record and a Div. II second-round appearance in 2016.
He also had a successful run at Central State University, establishing himself as a rising name in the HBCU coaching ranks early in his career.
During his introductory press conference Thursday afternoon, Jackson thanked AA&M Athletics Director Dr. Paul Bryant for hiring him for the third time. Bryant also hired Jackson as men’s basketball coach during stints serving as AD at Stillman and at Grambling State.
Jackson also thanked Grambling State University for his time coaching there.
“Thank you Grambling State University — the administration, fans, alums, former players, former coaches — it’s been a memorable eight years,” Jackson said. “We accomplished a lot of special moments together and we received a lot of recognition during our time. Grambling will always hold a special place for me in my heart.”
Jackson said he made the decision to take over the Alabama A&M men’s basketball program because he and his wife decided they needed a change of scenery.
“After a lot of deep, thoughtful discussions, tough conversations, we decided to hit the reset button,” Jackson said. “We needed an opportunity to refocus for our purpose, refocus on building a brand new program into a championship contender. We just needed a change of scenery.”
