Asa Jackson is coaching the cornerbacks at Cal Poly after a stellar career with the Mustangs as well as six seasons in the National Football League.
Photo by: Owen Main | Cal Poly Athletics
Asa Jackson Returns to Cal Poly to Coach the Cornerbacks
4/27/2022 2:49:00 PM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Former Cal Poly defensive back Asa Jackson, who played in the National Football League for parts of six seasons, has returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach in charge of the cornerbacks.
Jackson replaces cornerbacks coach Jeff Anderson, who is now a defensive quality control coach for the Cleveland Browns.
"I couldn't be more excited to add Asa to the staff for multiple reasons," said Mustang head coach Beau Baldwin. "During the interview process, he showed how good a teacher he is, how well he relates with the players, how much he knows about football, particularly as a former defensive back himself, and the passion he has for this university, San Luis Obispo and the area.
"It all added up to a perfect fit," Baldwin added.
Jackson was a four-time first-team all-Great West Conference selection at Cal Poly from 2008-11, the third Mustang to earn all-conference first-team honors four times. The others were offensive lineman Stephen Field and wide receiver Ramses Barden, both from 2005-08.
One of two Mustangs to start as a freshman in 2008, Jackson was named Great West Freshman of the Year. Twice he was named the best defensive player in his conference and Jackson also earned numerous All-American accolades.
He finished his college career with 137 solo tackles, 199 total tackles, eight interceptions for 307 yards (ranks first in school history) and three touchdowns (ties school record with David Fullerton). Jackson also recorded 40 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and a single sack for minus-6 yards. He played in 43 games and started 42 of them.
"The best experience of my life was at Cal Poly from 2008 to 2012," said Jackson, "and now I am looking to create the same kind of experience for the next generation of guys coming here. The university has done so much for me, giving me a chance to play football. I was on a recruiting trip to Notre Dame for track when (Mustang assistant coach) Ian Shields called me. I fell in love with Cal Poly after that."
Jackson is the last Cal Poly player to be drafted by a National Football League team, taken in the fifth round (169th overall selection) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 draft.
Over a six-year NFL career -- 2012-15 with the Ravens, 2016 with the Detroit Lions and 2017 with the San Francisco 49ers -- Jackson played in 26 games with eight starts, recording 38 total tackles (30 solo) with four pass deflections and one tackle for lost yardage.
In 2014 with the Ravens, he made 28 total tackles (22 solo) with three pass deflections. In 2016 with the Lions, Jackson notched seven tackles (five solo) with another pass deflection. He also returned a punt for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during a preseason NFL game, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty.
Following his playing career, Jackson served as a defensive backs assistant at Ohio State for the 2019 and 2020 seasons followed by one year as defensive coordinator at Christian Bros. High School. He also has worked as head of business operations at DB Select in Sacramento.
A graduate of Christian Bros. High School in Sacramento, Jackson is a 2012 alumnus of the Orfalea College of Business. Jamarri Jackson, a current Mustang defensive back, was trained by Asa Jackson at Christian Bros.
Jackson replaces cornerbacks coach Jeff Anderson, who is now a defensive quality control coach for the Cleveland Browns.
"I couldn't be more excited to add Asa to the staff for multiple reasons," said Mustang head coach Beau Baldwin. "During the interview process, he showed how good a teacher he is, how well he relates with the players, how much he knows about football, particularly as a former defensive back himself, and the passion he has for this university, San Luis Obispo and the area.
"It all added up to a perfect fit," Baldwin added.
Jackson was a four-time first-team all-Great West Conference selection at Cal Poly from 2008-11, the third Mustang to earn all-conference first-team honors four times. The others were offensive lineman Stephen Field and wide receiver Ramses Barden, both from 2005-08.One of two Mustangs to start as a freshman in 2008, Jackson was named Great West Freshman of the Year. Twice he was named the best defensive player in his conference and Jackson also earned numerous All-American accolades.
He finished his college career with 137 solo tackles, 199 total tackles, eight interceptions for 307 yards (ranks first in school history) and three touchdowns (ties school record with David Fullerton). Jackson also recorded 40 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and a single sack for minus-6 yards. He played in 43 games and started 42 of them.
"The best experience of my life was at Cal Poly from 2008 to 2012," said Jackson, "and now I am looking to create the same kind of experience for the next generation of guys coming here. The university has done so much for me, giving me a chance to play football. I was on a recruiting trip to Notre Dame for track when (Mustang assistant coach) Ian Shields called me. I fell in love with Cal Poly after that."
Jackson is the last Cal Poly player to be drafted by a National Football League team, taken in the fifth round (169th overall selection) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 draft.
Over a six-year NFL career -- 2012-15 with the Ravens, 2016 with the Detroit Lions and 2017 with the San Francisco 49ers -- Jackson played in 26 games with eight starts, recording 38 total tackles (30 solo) with four pass deflections and one tackle for lost yardage.
In 2014 with the Ravens, he made 28 total tackles (22 solo) with three pass deflections. In 2016 with the Lions, Jackson notched seven tackles (five solo) with another pass deflection. He also returned a punt for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during a preseason NFL game, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty.
Following his playing career, Jackson served as a defensive backs assistant at Ohio State for the 2019 and 2020 seasons followed by one year as defensive coordinator at Christian Bros. High School. He also has worked as head of business operations at DB Select in Sacramento.
A graduate of Christian Bros. High School in Sacramento, Jackson is a 2012 alumnus of the Orfalea College of Business. Jamarri Jackson, a current Mustang defensive back, was trained by Asa Jackson at Christian Bros.
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