Jackson became the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. On the defensive side, he coached linebacker Gary Spani. In 1975 and 1976, Jackson once again joined head coach Vince Gibson at the University of Louisville as his defensive coordinator and coached the linebackers. From 1977 to 1982, Jackson joined the University of Tennessee coaching staff, under head coach Johnny Majors. Professional coaching career In 1983, Jackson joined head coach Dan Henning at the Atlanta Falcons. While at the Atlanta Falcons, he coached the linebackers from 1983 to 1985 and the H-backs and tight ends in 1986. From 1987 to 1991, Jackson coached the running backs for the San Diego Chargers under head coaches Al Saunders and Dan Henning. During Jackson's five-year tenure as running backs coach in San Diego, the Chargers surpassed the 4.0-yard per carry mark in each of his final four seasons. In fact, over that four-year stretch (1988–91), the Chargers averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt, and led the NFL in this department in 1991 (4.8), while finishing second in 1988 (4.7), and third in 1990 (4.7). Gary Anderson (1,119 yards in 1988) and Marion Butts (1,225 yards in 1990) each went over 1,000 yards during that time. In 1992 and 1993, Jackson joined the Phoenix Cardinals as the running backs coach under head coach Joe Bugel. In 1993, Ronald Moore amassed 1,018 yards rushing, the first Cardinals running back to break the 1,000-yard barrier since 1985. Also in Jackson's final year, Larry Centers led the team with 60 receptions, a figure which ranked second among National Football Conference (NFC) running backs that year. Jackson served as the running backs coach for the Washington Redskins from 1994 to 1999, under head coach Norv Turner. During his six years in Washington, the team produced a 1,000-yard running back three times, including Terry Allen (1995–96) and Stephen Davis (1999). Allen finished third in the NFC in rushing both times he reached the plateau, while Davis led the conference in that category in 1999. As a unit, the Redskins topped the 4.0-yard average per carry mark on four occasions. From 2000 to 2002, Jackson was the associate head coach, offensive coordinator, and running backs coach for the St. Louis Rams under head coach Mike Martz. In his three years as the offensive coordinator for the Greatest Show on Turf in St. Louis, the Rams led the NFL in total offense in