Alabama State adds former Super Bowl MVP to coaching staff

Head Coach Reggie Barlow has added former NFL teammate and
Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson (Florida State) to the Hornets coaching staff.
Photo Courtesy: Alabama State University Athletics

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State University Head Football Coach Reggie Barlow has announced the addition of Dexter Jackson to the coaching staff where he will coach the Hornets safeties.

"Dexter had always talked about wanting to be a college coach and to come up and work for me and be a part," Barlow said.  "Dex is obviously a guy who is very knowledgeable, understands the game, a good people person and I thought he would be a good fit. He has the enthusiasm you want in a young coach and he wants to learn and teach the stuff he knows."

Barlow and Jackson had previous ties as the two were teammates at Tampa Bay when the Bucs won the 2003 Super Bowl.  Jackson was named the game's MVP after intercepting two Oakland Raider passes in the Bucs 48-21 victory.

Jackson spent 10 seasons in the NFL following his final season at Florida State where he finished his career as a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) pick and was also an Academic All-ACC honoree.  He completed his collegiate career with 194 tackles, seven interceptions and four blocked field goals.

Jackson was drafted in the fourth round as the 113^th overall pick by Tampa Bay in the 1999 draft.



He played for Tampa Bay 1999-2002 before signing with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent in 2003.  After spending a season with the Cardinals he re-signed with Tampa Bay where he played the 2004 and 2005 seasons before finishing his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals playing 2006-08.

Jackson finished his NFL career with 433 total tackles including five sacks.  He also had 17 career interceptions.

"I always kept in touch with Reggie during the season," Jackson said.  "He (Barlow) called me and asked me if I was still working with the football teams and I told him I was still working with them and he knew my history.  You can't be perfect but you can strive for that and he told me he needed someone to coach safeties and I know your history and know how you work and I told him I was ready."

He and his wife Tina are the parents of four daughters; Jasmine, Daisia, Meah and Taylor.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION