By Mark Gregory
Editorial Director
@Hear_The_Beard
mark@buglenewspapers.com
It was somewhere not too long after the turn of the new year when I got the press release that John Jackson was finally going into the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. and I could not have been happier.
I was happy because John may not have had the numbers that a Dan Sharpe or a Ron Muhitch, two of the coaches that he joined in the class of 2018 – but was that really coach Jackson’s fault? No, not at all.
John Jackson was a helluva good football coach.
While he was at Plainfield, it went from a town of one high school to a village of four. Those splits hurt a program – and you are a fool if you think they don’t.
But, honestly, that was not why I was happy.
I was happy for John Jackson the coach, but more for John Jackson the man.
I was happy for the coach who had to dealt with those splits, the coach who had to ignore fans yelling for him to open the offense and throw the ball more and then when he did – ignore the same voices yelling to run the football. I was happy for the coach who never gave up, and coached like he was playing for a state title despite going three years without a win.
But I was even more happy for the man.
The man that while losing 27-straight games made sure his players knew he had their back. The man who would stand in front of the media and talk to us when really, there was nothing to say.
I was happy for the man who in my nearly 10 years covering him was one of the most honest, say-what-he-meant coaches I have ever dealt with. You knew you would never get that ultra-politically correct coach speak from him. Often times he would say what he meant and then look and just say – “make that sound good.”
And, of course, I would.
When I found out that coach was getting into the HOF, and that the induction was in April, I figured I would wait until then to do a story on him. But, as I got updates on his failing health, I decided to go ahead and do the story in early February – hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.
I was told pretty much right away by some people who had recently talked with John, that he probably would not talk to me. He wasn’t speaking well at that point, and was more than likely not up for an interview. Out of respect, I emailed him anyway, but proceeded to begin working on the story without that interview.
I talked to several former players, coaches and administrators that knew John and had their lives touched by him – each one giving a better story than the last. I was all set – I had my story.
Then, I got a phone call.
It was John’s wife Pam telling me that coach would like to talk to me and that they would be getting back to me on his next good day. When was my deadline, she asked.
There was no deadline – I would wait.
Not too long after that initial call, I got word that coach would call me later that day.
And, man, am I glad he did.
Sure, his speech was a little slower than he was when I last saw him on a sideline – but his wit was just as quick.
His speech was more slurred – but the words still as powerful.
The conversation didn’t last too long and while it is one of thousands I have done in my career, it is one I will never forget. Getting those five more minutes to talk to a coach I admired for years is something special. That one more chance to ‘make him sound good.’
John Jackson died July 13 at the way too young age of 58.
As I thought about why someone so good had to leave at an early age, all I could think is that he simply gave everything he had to everyone he touched for many of those 58 years.
Every student, every athlete, every friend that he met – he gave them something.
There are many people who believe that when you are born, your time on Earth is already predetermined.
If God knew when coach was born that he would only have 58 years on this planet, he also made sure that he touched more lives through teaching and coaching than someone could who lives to be 98.
That being said, he will be missed. There are many more young football players would could have learned about football and life from a man like John Jackson.
Rest in Peace, coach – it was an honor.
Visitation for coach Jackson will be Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 4-9pm at Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 15219 S. Joliet Rd., Plainfield.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 20, at 10:30 am at St. Mary Immaculate Church, 15629 S. Route 59, Plainfield.