Cronin hires assistant, Jackson

Although it was difficult leaving behind his players and the coach that gave him his first opportunity to work in the college ranks, the call to come home was just too compelling for George Jackson.

“I’m a Cincinnati guy,” Jackson said. “I was born and raised here and grew up as a fan of Cincinnati basketball.”

The University of Cincinnati announced Wednesday, June 3, that Jackson will be joining the men’s basketball coaching staff for the upcoming season as an assistant.

Jackson had been an assistant for head coach Lou Orr since 2001, following him from Seton Hall to Bowling Green State where the two coached last season. After going 13-17 in their first season at Bowling Green, Orr and Jackson led the team to a 19-14 record and a National Invitational Tournament  berth last season.

But Jackson said he just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get back together with his family in the Queen City.

“This is a great opportunity,” Jackson said. “To have a chance to work with coach Cronin and the staff and be apart of this program that I believe is on the verge of doing great things is an honor.”

Prior to accepting a job with Orr in 2001, Jackson spent 20 years as the boy’s basketball head coach at Withrow High School. Jackson, who is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Fame, compiled a 311-146 record coaching at Withrow.

Over the years, Jackson has earned a reputation as a big man specialist, and has seen several of his former post players at Withrow go on to have successful careers in college and NBA.

“Some people say I’m a good teacher but, I’ve always said the best teachers have great students,” Jackson said. “Tyrone Hill was a great student, Brandon Hunter was a great student and Ricky Calloway was a great student.”

Fellow Withrow graduate Yancy Gates could be the next in that long line of great students
for Jackson.

“Yancy has outstanding potential,” Jackson said. “Physically he has it all and he seems to be a very good person and that’s going to be a key to his development. Just being a willing student is going to enhance his progress a great deal as we work together to get where we all want to go.”

Jackson is also expected to work with post players Steve Toyloy, Anthony McClain and Ibrahima Thomas next season.

“I can’t wait to get going with those guys,” Jackson said. “My tendencies are to be slow and patient with players and I don’t think you can go to XYZ, without making sure you get
ABC solid.”

By ABC’s Jackson means he wants the big men getting from rim to rim in four seconds on every change of possession.

“That’s the best post offense I believe is to get down there before the defense gets set, catching the defense off balance and being able to score before the help becomes available,” Jackson said. “Defensively it’s the same thing. We use the terms in the past of greeting the offensive player, not meeting him there. So we want to sprint down the floor in less than four seconds and greet that guy and keep him out of his comfort zone as far as the position he wants to try to get in inside.”

From what he has seen of the team and staff so far, he is excited about the team’s potential for the upcoming season Jackson said.

“With the staff and the great work ethic of those guys and the personnel we have, I feel like it’s a great opportunity and we can take that next step and be an NCAA tournament team on a regular basis,” Jackson said.