CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- When his predecessor accepted another job at another West Virginia Conference school, Jonas Jackson received a promotion from West Virginia Wesleyan officials.Changing one word in his job title resulted in a historical accomplishment for Jackson, who went from assistant head coach to interim head coach in June after Dennis Creehan resigned to become the athletic director at Alderson-Broaddus.
Jackson is believed to be the first black head coach at a non-HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in the league's long history.
"It says a lot about our institution, and it says a lot about our president, our dean and our athletic director," said Jackson, a 32-year-old Boston native who has a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan and a master's degree from Valparaiso.
"It's an honor, and I embrace it. I have to make sure I work very, very hard to represent the institution and those who aspire to be where I am. For up-and-coming black coaches like myself, we have to work our tails off and put our best foot forward so other guys get this opportunity."
Despite the historical significance of his promotion, Jackson said he is not sure colleges' hiring practices are "a black-and-white issue."
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