Tremaine Jackson, who was hired over the weekend by Prairie View, is a young up-and-coming football coach on the collegiate level turning Valdosta State around in two years and guiding the Blazers to the Division II National Championship Game this season. Credit: VSU Spectator

Prairie View has gone out and found a new football coach.

He is coming off a spectacular Division II season at Valdosta State and he is a former Texas Southen football player.

Prairie View confirmed over the weekend that Tremaine Jackson will take over for Bubba McDowell, whose contract was not renewed last month after three years at the helm. Jackson, who was in his third season at Valdosta, is coming off an undefeated season and an appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game.

The hire becomes official Jan. 1 and a formal introduction is expected around Jan. 7.

“Coach Tremaine Jackson is a natural fit for Prairie View and for what we want to see our program become,” PVAMU athletic director Anton Goff said via a statement. “His experience, leadership, and dedication to student-athlete success align perfectly with our university’s values and goals. 

“We expect excellence and we’re very confident that Coach Jackson will deliver.  We’re looking forward to the positive impact he will have on our football program and the entire Prairie View community.”

Tremaine Jackson celebrates. Credit: NCAA.org

In three seasons at Valdosta State, Jackson compiled an impressive 30-9 record. In his second season, he led the Blazers to the Gulf South Conference title, becoming the first Black coach in the conference’s history to win a championship.

The Blazers in 2023 were ranked in the top 15 nationally in passing offense, first downs, completion percentage, passing efficiency, net punting, and fumbles recovered.  Additionally, the team achieved the highest grade point average in program history.

Before taking over Valdosta’s program, Jackson was head coach for the Colorado Mesa Mavericks; defensive line coach at Texas State, and a defensive coordinator at Abilene Christian. He also spent time as assistant head coach at the University of Sioux Falls, helping lead the Cougars to a combined 32-5 record in four seasons.

Traimine Jackson (middle) enjoys conference championship with his Valdosta State team. Credit: Valdosta State via X

Jackson began his coaching career at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, as the Javelinas’ defensive line coach.  He served as defensive coordinator at Texas Southern University from 2008-2011 helping that team win the 2010 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title.  Jackson also had stops at Trinity Valley Community College, and Evangel University. 

He takes over for McDowell, who Prairie View moved on from after three fairly successful seasons. McDowell was coming off a disappointing 5-7 overall and 3-5 SWAC finish, but had the Panthers at the top of the West Division in the previous two seasons, which included one SWAC Championship Game berth.

McDowell’s teams went 17-18 overall and 14-10 in the SWAC during his tenure.

I've been with The Defender since August 2019. I'm a long-time sportswriter who has covered everything from college sports to the Texans and Rockets during my 16 years of living in the Houston market....