When Georgia Gwinnett Head Tennis Coach Chase Hodges needed to hire a new assistant, he didn't have to look far as he elevated Adam Jackson to the role on September 10, 2014.
Last season, Jackson served as a volunteer assistant for the Grizzlies, helping the program grab both the men's and women's NAIA national championship in their first year of eligibility.
"Adam was around all last year for us, and it was nice to have a great candidate already here and ready to work," Hodges explained. "He's coming in with a lot of experience and a lot of familiarity with the student athletes. I'm excited for him to be here, and I know he's going to do a great job. He just loves being a Grizzly."
"I cannot wait to really get started here," Jackson said. "I'm grateful to Chase and [GGC Director of Athletics] Dr. Darin Wilson for bringing me on board, and hopefully we'll go out and try to get another national championship. I want to serve as a mentor and role model both on and off the court, but I also hope that I can continue bring some enthusiasm and excitement to the program. I know that when the players see me get excited, they start to feed into it."
Jackson was most recently the head pro at The Georgia Club, where he worked on developing tournament-playing juniors as well as high school players. The Watkinsville native carries the highest certification from the Professional Tennis Registry, and he's also shown a record of success in the high school ranks, leading Grayson High School to state tournament appearances from 2010-13.
Jackson is a graduate of Appalachian State University, but he also played collegiately for Wingate University, where he led the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Division II tournament appearance in over a decade. Jackson is a former high school state champion in Georgia, and he's continued to play, earning the 2013 Georgia Games men's open title.
Jackson and his wife, Dana, currently reside in Statham with their sons, Gus and Jake.
