We promised our subscribers more on new Gamecock director of football strength and conditioning Paul Jackson in the aftermath of his hire. Here is what we have gathered since we first heard his name surface during the search process:
- As we reported along the way, it was known in coaching circles that Will Muschamp was intrigued by the possibility of tabbing a younger coach for this position. There were some more veteran presences on the list, to be sure, but Jackson fits the bill of a younger coach that still has major level experience and a track record of success. He’s run his own show at three different programs, and all have had success.
- Jackson had been the frontrunner behind the scenes by the time Wes and I both mentioned that there was a lot of industry smoke behind his name. As Will Muschamp said during a recent media opportunity, Jackson interviewed very well. We’ve been told that his philosophy and plan for the way he wants to run the program in Columbia really stood out here.
- Obviously, the first question folks will have here relates to injuries/injury prevention. It’s such a multi-faceted and complex issue that there simply is not an easy answer. It’s football, and so there are going to be injuries, but it’s something that South Carolina must improve inasmuch as it’s possible through training methods. That was something that was addressed/came up during the search process, we have been told.
- Jackson has a background in speed training, so look for him to apply that in his own programs. It will not be as much about just running guys left and right as it is building speed and creating progressions that will help increase speed and agility. A lot of what is done in this regard will be regimens that apply directly to what the football team will be asked to do on Saturdays.
- As for the weight room, we have been told that Jackson is very hands-on and involved, and that he will structure things to where he gets a lot of individual attention with players. With big numbers on the team, that’s something that’s difficult to do, but something that he seems to prioritize. Think of it as sort of the teacher/classroom ratio being lower, with the way the program is structured.
- Jackson will emphasize technique over lift load all day.
- As we reported along the way, it was known in coaching circles that Will Muschamp was intrigued by the possibility of tabbing a younger coach for this position. There were some more veteran presences on the list, to be sure, but Jackson fits the bill of a younger coach that still has major level experience and a track record of success. He’s run his own show at three different programs, and all have had success.
- Jackson had been the frontrunner behind the scenes by the time Wes and I both mentioned that there was a lot of industry smoke behind his name. As Will Muschamp said during a recent media opportunity, Jackson interviewed very well. We’ve been told that his philosophy and plan for the way he wants to run the program in Columbia really stood out here.
- Obviously, the first question folks will have here relates to injuries/injury prevention. It’s such a multi-faceted and complex issue that there simply is not an easy answer. It’s football, and so there are going to be injuries, but it’s something that South Carolina must improve inasmuch as it’s possible through training methods. That was something that was addressed/came up during the search process, we have been told.
- Jackson has a background in speed training, so look for him to apply that in his own programs. It will not be as much about just running guys left and right as it is building speed and creating progressions that will help increase speed and agility. A lot of what is done in this regard will be regimens that apply directly to what the football team will be asked to do on Saturdays.
- As for the weight room, we have been told that Jackson is very hands-on and involved, and that he will structure things to where he gets a lot of individual attention with players. With big numbers on the team, that’s something that’s difficult to do, but something that he seems to prioritize. Think of it as sort of the teacher/classroom ratio being lower, with the way the program is structured.
- Jackson will emphasize technique over lift load all day.
