Butte College hires former Sacramento State assistant Ed Jackson as new volleyball head coach

BUTTE VALLEY — The Butte College athletic program has hired Ed Jackson as its new head volleyball coach after Crystal Thomas spent the last two seasons in an interim role. Jackson enters Butte College in his 22nd season coaching collegiate volleyball, as well as stints at the high school and club levels.

Jackson most recently spent the past nine seasons at alma mater Sacramento State, where he led the Hornets’ indoor volleyball program to their first Big Sky regular season championship since 2017, finishing with an overall record of 22-12 and 13-3 in league play. The 22 wins were the most in the past six years for the Hornets.

“I think he’s the right fit because he has a ton of experience,” said Butte College interim athletic director Randy Maday. “Just in my talks with him this week he’s well organized, sounds like he has a recruiting plan put together for future years to have a successful bout not just in indoor volleyball but beach volleyball as well. Hopefully if all that comes to fruition, I’m sure he’s going to do a great job. The girls seem to respond to him and I think he’s going to be good for the program.”

Jackson, whose most recent stint as a head coach came in 2012-15 with NCAA Division II Academy of Art, said he felt the coaching opportunity at Butte College was the right fit for three reasons. First, was the opportunity to become a head coach of an indoor program once again, where as a player he played with the Hornets as an outside hitter, opposite and a setter. Secondly, Jackson will be working with the Butte College administration to potentially bring a beach volleyball program to Butte College, a role he played a key part with at Sacramento State as well.

“I really appreciate the opportunities I had at Sac State,” Jackson said. “I was utilized and valued, and (head coach Ruben Volta) would include me a lot in the decision making. I was pretty involved in the growth of the beach program at Sac State, and that experience will help us here.”

At Sacramento State, Jackson helped start a beach volleyball program that began off campus, and eventually brought courts to the Hornets’ campus. He feels that his experience with both sides of off-campus courts and building courts at the college will benefit Butte College as a whole.

Newly named Butte College volleyball coach Ed Jackson, center, works with Sacramento State’s Ellie Tisko (11) in a match on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 at Sacramento State in Sacramento, California. (Bob Solorio, Sacramento State Athletics/Contributed)

Lastly, Jackson taught kinesiology classes at Sacramento State, but mainly activity classes. In addition to his role coaching, he is also a full-time faculty member, and will be teaching introduction to kinesiology classes to start.

“That was an exciting opportunity for me to be able to teach beyond volleyball and basketball, and into some other course work,” Jackson said.

He also hopes that his experience working at the four-year level and having colleagues at the four-year level will help his players at Butte transition to the next level.

Building a plan

In just his third day in office, Jackson has begun a plan for the Roadrunners’ program.

On Monday, Jackson and his team will have meeting to establish goals. Jackson intends to focus on are what does the team want to do, how is it going to get there, what are the things important to get there, and most importantly how does it know it is getting there.

“We have to identify things we can see that’s telling us yes we are doing the things,” Jackson said. “It’ll be interesting to see what their focus is.”

Newly named Butte College volleyball coach Ed Jackson, right, formerly with Sacramento State’s Mia Guevara (13) at a beach volleyball match on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Sacramento State in Sacramento, California. (Bob Solorio, Sacramento State Athletics/Contributed)

Jackson and his players have already identified three things that they believe are important into what a coach’s role is, another piece Jackson believes is key in creating a successful program.

The first and foremost thing he established is that coaches are guides, and give feedback and help when there are struggles or challenges, and help overcome adversity. The second thing, which many would argue is equally important, is that coaches encourage and compliment.

“If they’re succeeding, we compliment them. If they’re struggling, we encourage them,” Jackson said. “As long as there’s intentional attempts, you can’t be faulted. Keep fighting and take risks. Be OK with failing, because the more you do it eventually you’re going to overcome that. The last thing you want is players to feel pressure if they’re demeaned.”

The final thing that Jackson feels is crucial to building a culture is creating a positive environment, whether that be in the gym, in the weight room, in the classroom or in the community.

“If we can do those three things, and I can promote those for the players, I think we can have a great year,” Jackson said.