Kerrick Jackson named Mizzou’s next baseball coach
Watch the introductory news conference live.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou Athletics announced that former Memphis head coach Kerrick Jackson will be Tiger baseball's next head coach. The St. Louis-native will be officially introduced on MU's campus in a few days.
The news comes less than a week after MU fired former head coach Steve Bieser.
Jackson led Memphis to a 29-28 overall record in 2023, which was the Tigers' first winning season since 2017. Mizzou will actually be his third head coaching stint, as he was the head coach at Southern from 2018-20.
It will not be Jackson's first time in Columbia, however, as he spent five seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Mizzou from 2011-15. In his first go-around with MU, he worked with hitters, outfielders and infielders. The Tigers made back-to-back trips to the Big 12 Conference Tournament in 2011-12, winning the conference title in 2012. The Tiger teams Jackson was a part had multiple nationally ranked recruiting classes and a consensus Top-30 class in 2015.
"We set out to find a leader of high character with success rejuvenating a program, and we certainly found that in Kerrick Jackson," Athletics Director Desiree Reed-Francois said in a press release on Saturday night. "He's a tireless recruiter, fierce competitor and a coach with deep roots in the Midwest. Coach Jackson knows what success looks like in college baseball, specifically at Mizzou. He has a vision for success and a tremendous amount of experience at all levels of baseball. I look forward to him building on our traditions and returning us to the national stage. We proudly welcome Coach Jackson, Talia, Zion and Lazarus home to Columbia."
Jackson said it is an honor to come back to Columbia and take the helm of Tiger baseball.
"I have seen this program at its championship best and understand both what it takes to get there and the importance of baseball to the state, region and within the Southeastern Conference," he said in a press release. "My family and I are looking forward to returning to a University and community which we love. I am grateful to Desireé Reed-Francois and the search committee for trusting me with this tremendous opportunity."
