Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino once again chose familiarity when selecting a new assistant coach.
Je’Ney Jackson was named cornerbacks coach Thursday, filling the last vacancy in the coaching staff for the time being.
Jackson has worked as an assistant strength coach at KU under Chris Dawson the last two seasons.
“Je’Ney is a high-energy coach with vast knowledge of cornerback play,” Mangino said in a statement. “He will elevate the level of play at that position.”
Jackson does not have experience as a position coach, but he does have experience playing cornerback. He was an All-Western Athletic Conference cornerback at Wyoming in the 1990s, totaling seven interceptions in a decorated four-year career.
He inherits a talented cornerback fleet that had serious depth problems in 2006. Aqib Talib was an All-Big 12 Conference selection after snagging six interceptions and defending 28 passes. Anthony Webb played most of the year opposite Talib as a true freshman.
Beyond those two, only one player on KU’s 2007 roster has any cornerback experience on the Division I-A level – seldom-used Raymond Brown. KU signed Kendrick Harper out of Butler Community College and Phillip Strozier could be penciled in as a cornerback option after a red-shirt year. Earlier this month, Kansas also signed up to four high-school players who could project at cornerback.
Jackson replaces Earnest Collins, who left KU in December to take a job as secondary coach at Central Florida. Jackson is one of two new assistants on KU’s staff. Ed Warinner was named offensive coordinator last month after Nick Quartaro resigned. Warinner was KU’s offensive line coach in 2003 and 2004.
Also announced Thursday was the promotion of assistant coach Tim Beck. Along with his duties as wide-receivers coach, Beck also will be KU’s passing-game coordinator.
