Photo by: Seth Seebaugh / Wake Forest Athletics
Dickert Names Chevis Jackson as Cornerbacks Coach
1/16/2025 3:27:00 PM | Football
Jackson comes to Winston-Salem after helping Miami win 10 games in 2024 and mentoring many great defensive backs over the course of his career.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest head football coach Jake Dickert announced Thursday that Chevis Jackson has been added to his coaching staff as the Demon Deacons Assistant Coach, Cornerbacks. A veteran defensive backs coach and has high level experience at three different Power-4 stops in three different power conferences as well as having played with five different teams during his NFL playing career.
"Chevis Jackson is a proven leader and teacher who has consistently developed elite defensive backs at the highest levels of college football," Coach Dickert said. "His experience as a coach in the ACC, Big 12, and Sun Belt, paired with his knowledge gained as a player in the NFL, brings a unique perspective to our program. Chevis has a passion for mentoring young men both on and off the field, and his defensive expertise will be a tremendous asset to Wake Forest football. We are excited to welcome Chevis, Ashley, and their family to Winston-Salem."
"I'm excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Dickert's staff at Wake Forest," Chevis Jackson said. "I'm eager to contribute to the continued success of the Demon Deacons football program as my goal is to help our student-athletes maximize their potential, both as players and as individuals, while building a defense that embodies toughness, discipline, and teamwork. My family and I are thrilled to be a part of the Wake Forest community."
Most recently, Jackson helped lead Miami to its first 10-win season since 2017 and only its second 10-win season since joining the ACC in 2004.
At the end of the 2024 regular season, Miami was No. 17 in FBS in "defensive mayhem" - plays on defense featuring a tackle for loss, an interception or a gained fumble. Miami had a 12.97 percent mayhem rate on defense; the Hurricanes racked up a 8.43 percent sack rate, a 10.54 percent tackle-for-loss rate and a 3.68% interception rate in 2024.
Miami ended the regular season with 18 turnovers forced, including 14 interceptions. The Hurricanes allowed just over 200 yards passing a game.
Prior to Miami, Jackson played a key role in orchestrating a Marshall defense that ranked sixth in FBS in scoring defense, sixth in passes intercepted, third in yards per play and fifth in turnovers gained in 2022.
Under Jackson's guidance, the Thundering Herd ranked No. 25 in passes intercepted (13) in all of FBS.
Jackson joined Marshall's coaching staff as cornerbacks coach in February 2022 after three seasons at Kansas. In his first two seasons at Kansas, Jackson made his impact felt, guiding Hasan Defense to All-Big 12 honors in 2019 and Karon Prunty to Freshman All-American honors in 2020. In 2020, Prunty emerged as one of the top freshmen cornerbacks in the country under Jackson's eye.
In addition to coaching at Kansas from 2019-21, Jackson coached at Ball State (2016-18), LSU (2015) and South Alabama (2014-15).
While at Ball State, Jackson was named the 2017 Mid-American Conference Recruiter of the Year by 247Sports.com, serving as the lead recruiter for the Cardinals while also coaching the defensive backs.
Prior to his stint at Ball State, Jackson spent the 2015 season as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, LSU, working on a staff that guided the Tigers to a 10-3 mark and a final national ranking of No. 16.
Jackson was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter at cornerback at LSU. During his time with the program, the Tigers made two SEC Championship game appearances, winning the title in 2007.
Jackson recorded two tackles and returned an interception 34 yards in helping lead LSU to a 38-24 win over Ohio State in the 2008 BCS National Championship game.
An All-SEC First Team honoree in 2007, Jackson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for four seasons with five different teams – Atlanta, Jacksonville, New England, Denver and Carolina.
He earned his undergraduate degree in communications from LSU in 2008 and his Master's in Education from South Alabama. Originally from Mobile, Ala., Jackson and his wife, Ashley, have three children: Caden, Rue and Logan.
Miami (2024):
In Jackson's lone season in Miami, the Hurricanes posted their first 10-win season since 2017 and only the second 10-win season since joining the ACC in 2004.
At the end of the regular season, Miami was No. 17 in FBS in "defensive mayhem" - plays on defense featuring a tackle for loss, an interception or a gained fumble. Miami had a 12.97 percent mayhem rate on defense; the Hurricanes racked up a 8.43 percent sack rate, a 10.54 percent tackle-for-loss rate and a 3.68 percent interception rate in 2024.
Miami ended the regular season with 18 turnovers forced, including 14 interceptions which ranked 27th in the country. The Hurricanes allowed just over 200 yards passing a game. Additionally, Miami ranked 27th nationally in total defense.
Pro Football Focus also graded Miami out as the No. 13 defense in the country, earning an overall rating of 91.2 which was also the second-highest rating in the ACC.
Marshall (2022-2023):
Spent the 2023 season as co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Marshall.
Jackson played a key role in orchestrating a Thundering Herd defense that ranked sixth in FBS in scoring defense, sixth in passes intercepted, third in yards per play and fifth in turnovers gained in 2022.
Under Jackson's guidance, the Thundering Herd ranked No. 25 in passes intercepted (13) in all of FBS.
The 2022 season was a memorable one for Jackson's group, as the Marshall secondary finished with two players in the top-50 in all of FBS in interceptions. Micah Abraham tied for third in the nation with six interceptions and Steven Gilmore added three more, giving Marshall one of the most potent cornerback tandems in the nation.
Both Abraham and Gilmore recorded interceptions in Marshall's 26-21 upset at No. 8 Notre Dame. Gilmore's pick-6 late in the fourth quarter provided what proved to be the game-winning score.
In addition to the interception success, Marshall was ranked No. 1 in FBS in third down conversion percentage defense, allowing just 23.5 percent conversions and the pass efficiency defense ranked No. 3 in FBS and No. 1 in the Sun Belt as well. Marshall also ranked No. 8 in FBS in first downs defense, allowing just 200 total in 13 games.
Kansas (2019-21):
Jackson made an immediate impact during his first two seasons in Lawrence, guiding Hasan Defense to All-Big 12 honors in his first season with the Jayhawks and Karon Prunty to Freshman All-America honors in 2020.
The Kansas cornerbacks have thrived under Jackson's instruction. Defense started all 12 games under Jackson in 2019 and had nine passes defended to lead the Jayhawks. His eight pass breakups were also a team high. Cornerback Kyle Mayberry also had a solid season under Jackson with three tackles-for-loss and five pass breakups.
In 2020, Prunty emerged as one of the top freshmen cornerbacks in the country under Jackson's eye. Prunty started all nine games as a true freshman and tied for the national lead among freshmen with 10 pass breakups. He notched his first interception of the season in the final game of the year and did not allow a single touchdown throughout the nine games. Prunty was named a 247Sports.com True Freshman All-American after the season, along with earning honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition. He allowed just 38.5 percent of passes to be completed on him, which finished as the seventh-best mark in the season and tops among all freshmen.
Jackson also mentored Elijah Jones to a breakout season as a senior. Jones played in all nine games and had six pass breakups and three tackles-for-loss from his cornerback position.
Ball State (2016-18):
While at Ball State, Jackson was named the 2017 Mid-American Conference Recruiter of the Year by 247Sports.com, serving as the lead recruiter for the Cardinals while also coaching the defensive backs.
LSU (2015):
Jackson returned to his alma mater where he was a part of 2015 LSU team that finished 10-3 overall and ranked 16th in the final national polls. The Tigers, who climbed as high as No. 2 in the national polls that season, capped off the season with a 56-27 victory over Texas Tech in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.
South Alabama (2013-14):
Jackson helped South Alabama earn a bowl bid for the first time in program history as the Jaguars defense ranked second in the Sun Belt in scoring defense and total defense in 2013. In both seasons at South Alabama, the Jaguars finished the regular season with winning records. This was the first two seasons that South Alabama was eligible for postseason play after transitioning to FBS.
As a player:
Jackson was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter at cornerback at LSU. During his time with the program, the Tigers made two SEC Championship game appearances, winning the title in 2007. Jackson recorded two tackles and returned an interception 34 yards in helping lead LSU to a 38-24 win over Ohio State in the 2008 BCS National Championship game. An All-SEC First Team honoree in 2007, Jackson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for four seasons with five different teams – Atlanta, Jacksonville, New England, Denver and Carolina.
Family
He and his wife, Ashley, have three children: Caden, Rue and Logan
Postseason History
Coaching History
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
"Chevis Jackson is a proven leader and teacher who has consistently developed elite defensive backs at the highest levels of college football," Coach Dickert said. "His experience as a coach in the ACC, Big 12, and Sun Belt, paired with his knowledge gained as a player in the NFL, brings a unique perspective to our program. Chevis has a passion for mentoring young men both on and off the field, and his defensive expertise will be a tremendous asset to Wake Forest football. We are excited to welcome Chevis, Ashley, and their family to Winston-Salem."
"I'm excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Dickert's staff at Wake Forest," Chevis Jackson said. "I'm eager to contribute to the continued success of the Demon Deacons football program as my goal is to help our student-athletes maximize their potential, both as players and as individuals, while building a defense that embodies toughness, discipline, and teamwork. My family and I are thrilled to be a part of the Wake Forest community."
Most recently, Jackson helped lead Miami to its first 10-win season since 2017 and only its second 10-win season since joining the ACC in 2004.
At the end of the 2024 regular season, Miami was No. 17 in FBS in "defensive mayhem" - plays on defense featuring a tackle for loss, an interception or a gained fumble. Miami had a 12.97 percent mayhem rate on defense; the Hurricanes racked up a 8.43 percent sack rate, a 10.54 percent tackle-for-loss rate and a 3.68% interception rate in 2024.
Miami ended the regular season with 18 turnovers forced, including 14 interceptions. The Hurricanes allowed just over 200 yards passing a game.
Prior to Miami, Jackson played a key role in orchestrating a Marshall defense that ranked sixth in FBS in scoring defense, sixth in passes intercepted, third in yards per play and fifth in turnovers gained in 2022.
Under Jackson's guidance, the Thundering Herd ranked No. 25 in passes intercepted (13) in all of FBS.
Jackson joined Marshall's coaching staff as cornerbacks coach in February 2022 after three seasons at Kansas. In his first two seasons at Kansas, Jackson made his impact felt, guiding Hasan Defense to All-Big 12 honors in 2019 and Karon Prunty to Freshman All-American honors in 2020. In 2020, Prunty emerged as one of the top freshmen cornerbacks in the country under Jackson's eye.
In addition to coaching at Kansas from 2019-21, Jackson coached at Ball State (2016-18), LSU (2015) and South Alabama (2014-15).
While at Ball State, Jackson was named the 2017 Mid-American Conference Recruiter of the Year by 247Sports.com, serving as the lead recruiter for the Cardinals while also coaching the defensive backs.
Prior to his stint at Ball State, Jackson spent the 2015 season as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, LSU, working on a staff that guided the Tigers to a 10-3 mark and a final national ranking of No. 16.
Jackson was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter at cornerback at LSU. During his time with the program, the Tigers made two SEC Championship game appearances, winning the title in 2007.
Jackson recorded two tackles and returned an interception 34 yards in helping lead LSU to a 38-24 win over Ohio State in the 2008 BCS National Championship game.
An All-SEC First Team honoree in 2007, Jackson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for four seasons with five different teams – Atlanta, Jacksonville, New England, Denver and Carolina.
He earned his undergraduate degree in communications from LSU in 2008 and his Master's in Education from South Alabama. Originally from Mobile, Ala., Jackson and his wife, Ashley, have three children: Caden, Rue and Logan.
Miami (2024):
In Jackson's lone season in Miami, the Hurricanes posted their first 10-win season since 2017 and only the second 10-win season since joining the ACC in 2004.
At the end of the regular season, Miami was No. 17 in FBS in "defensive mayhem" - plays on defense featuring a tackle for loss, an interception or a gained fumble. Miami had a 12.97 percent mayhem rate on defense; the Hurricanes racked up a 8.43 percent sack rate, a 10.54 percent tackle-for-loss rate and a 3.68 percent interception rate in 2024.
Miami ended the regular season with 18 turnovers forced, including 14 interceptions which ranked 27th in the country. The Hurricanes allowed just over 200 yards passing a game. Additionally, Miami ranked 27th nationally in total defense.
Pro Football Focus also graded Miami out as the No. 13 defense in the country, earning an overall rating of 91.2 which was also the second-highest rating in the ACC.
Marshall (2022-2023):
Spent the 2023 season as co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Marshall.
Jackson played a key role in orchestrating a Thundering Herd defense that ranked sixth in FBS in scoring defense, sixth in passes intercepted, third in yards per play and fifth in turnovers gained in 2022.
Under Jackson's guidance, the Thundering Herd ranked No. 25 in passes intercepted (13) in all of FBS.
The 2022 season was a memorable one for Jackson's group, as the Marshall secondary finished with two players in the top-50 in all of FBS in interceptions. Micah Abraham tied for third in the nation with six interceptions and Steven Gilmore added three more, giving Marshall one of the most potent cornerback tandems in the nation.
Both Abraham and Gilmore recorded interceptions in Marshall's 26-21 upset at No. 8 Notre Dame. Gilmore's pick-6 late in the fourth quarter provided what proved to be the game-winning score.
In addition to the interception success, Marshall was ranked No. 1 in FBS in third down conversion percentage defense, allowing just 23.5 percent conversions and the pass efficiency defense ranked No. 3 in FBS and No. 1 in the Sun Belt as well. Marshall also ranked No. 8 in FBS in first downs defense, allowing just 200 total in 13 games.
Kansas (2019-21):
Jackson made an immediate impact during his first two seasons in Lawrence, guiding Hasan Defense to All-Big 12 honors in his first season with the Jayhawks and Karon Prunty to Freshman All-America honors in 2020.
The Kansas cornerbacks have thrived under Jackson's instruction. Defense started all 12 games under Jackson in 2019 and had nine passes defended to lead the Jayhawks. His eight pass breakups were also a team high. Cornerback Kyle Mayberry also had a solid season under Jackson with three tackles-for-loss and five pass breakups.
In 2020, Prunty emerged as one of the top freshmen cornerbacks in the country under Jackson's eye. Prunty started all nine games as a true freshman and tied for the national lead among freshmen with 10 pass breakups. He notched his first interception of the season in the final game of the year and did not allow a single touchdown throughout the nine games. Prunty was named a 247Sports.com True Freshman All-American after the season, along with earning honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition. He allowed just 38.5 percent of passes to be completed on him, which finished as the seventh-best mark in the season and tops among all freshmen.
Jackson also mentored Elijah Jones to a breakout season as a senior. Jones played in all nine games and had six pass breakups and three tackles-for-loss from his cornerback position.
Ball State (2016-18):
While at Ball State, Jackson was named the 2017 Mid-American Conference Recruiter of the Year by 247Sports.com, serving as the lead recruiter for the Cardinals while also coaching the defensive backs.
LSU (2015):
Jackson returned to his alma mater where he was a part of 2015 LSU team that finished 10-3 overall and ranked 16th in the final national polls. The Tigers, who climbed as high as No. 2 in the national polls that season, capped off the season with a 56-27 victory over Texas Tech in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.
South Alabama (2013-14):
Jackson helped South Alabama earn a bowl bid for the first time in program history as the Jaguars defense ranked second in the Sun Belt in scoring defense and total defense in 2013. In both seasons at South Alabama, the Jaguars finished the regular season with winning records. This was the first two seasons that South Alabama was eligible for postseason play after transitioning to FBS.
As a player:
Jackson was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter at cornerback at LSU. During his time with the program, the Tigers made two SEC Championship game appearances, winning the title in 2007. Jackson recorded two tackles and returned an interception 34 yards in helping lead LSU to a 38-24 win over Ohio State in the 2008 BCS National Championship game. An All-SEC First Team honoree in 2007, Jackson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for four seasons with five different teams – Atlanta, Jacksonville, New England, Denver and Carolina.
Family
He and his wife, Ashley, have three children: Caden, Rue and Logan
Postseason History
| Season | Bowl Game | Opponent | Result |
| 2024 | Pop Tarts Bowl (Miami) | Iowa State | L, 41-42 |
| 2023 | Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl (Marshall) | UTSA | L, 17-35 |
| 2022 | Myrtle Beach Bowl (Marshall) | UConn | W, 28-14 |
| 2015 | AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl (LSU) | Texas Tech | W, 56-27 |
| 2014 | Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (South Alabama) | Bowling Green | L, 28-33 |
Coaching History
| Seasons | School/Team | Title/Position Coached |
| 2024 | Miami | Assistant Coach / Cornerbacks |
| 2022-23 | Marshall | Co-Defensive Coordinator / Cornerbacks |
| 2019-21 | Kansas | Assistant Coach / Cornerbacks |
| 2016-18 | Ball State | Assistant Coach / Cornerbacks |
| 2015 | LSU | Graduate Assistant |
| 2013-14 | South Alabama | Graduate Assistant |
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
- DB Micah Abraham (6th) - Marshall '24 - Indianapolis Colts
- DB Steven Gilmore (UDFA) - Marshall '22 - Detroit Lions
- Hometown: Mobile, Ala.
- Education: 2007 - Bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University; 2014 - Master's degree from the University of South Alabama
- Spouse: Ashley
- Children: Caden, Rue and Logan
Players Mentioned
DB
/ FootballFootball Media Availability (9/18/25)
Thursday, September 18
QB Robbie Ashford takes it himself for the score
Thursday, September 11
Chris Barnes scores the TD on the game's first kick
Thursday, September 11
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10