Marcus Jackson hired as RHS boys basketball coach

Arcadia head coach Marcus Jackson will take the short drive down Interstate 20 to take over the Ruston boys basketball program, RHS Principal Dan Gressett confirmed Monday.

Jackson has shown himself to be a winner in his 20 years of coaching experience, delivering the Hornets their first state championship in 2016 before following up with a second title in 2021. Arcadia also won seven district titles in his tenure. The Hornets made the playoffs every year of Jackson's tenure as well, including this past season before Arcadia lost in the second round of the Division IV nonselect playoffs. Jackson was named 1A Coach of the Year in 2015 as well.

Before his time at Arcadia, Jackson won a state championship as head coach at Athens High School, his alma mater, in 2010. Jackson also coached the Athens girl's team. He was named Class C Boys Coach of the Year in 2005 and Class C Girl's Coach of the Year in 2008.

"We can't wait to see what coach Jackson does here. He's been very successful and we feel like this is a homerun hire for us," Gressett said in a statement. "We're just excited to get him on campus and get to work."

Jackson's experience at Athens goes beyond coaching, winning the 1999 Class C state title as a player. Jackson went on to be named Class C Player of the Year and State Championship MVP in 1999.

Now, Jackson will be tasked with leading the Bearcats to state championship glory after the program has made the state tournament two straight seasons but fallen short in the semifinals.

With 49 wins over the last two seasons and returning LSWA All-State players Aidan Anding and Ahmad Hudson leading a talented roster, Ruston appears to have itself positioned to be in the postseason mix once again.