GAINESVILLE, Fla. - After an extensive nationwide search, Santa Fe College Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Russ Jackson as the Head Coach of SF Women's Basketball. 

Jackson is the eighth Head Coach in program history, and will take over the program for Chanda Stebbins, who was appointed to the role of Director of Athletics on May 1, 2023. 

"We are tremendously excited to welcome Coach Jackson to the Santa Fe family," stated President Dr. Paul Broadie. "He has an extensive history of coaching at the D-1 level as well as within the Florida College System, and his background as a faculty member will be incredibly beneficial to our student-athletes. His leadership and guidance of our student-athletes will support them both in the classroom and on the basketball court."

"I am so excited for our student-athletes to be led by Coach Jackson," emphasized Director of Athletics Chanda Stebbins. "He will lead with integrity, grit, and passion all the while helping each young lady become their best version."

"Words cannot express how humbled and honored I am for the opportunity to be the women's basketball coach at Santa Fe College," expressed Jackson. "I would like to thank the search committee members and Coach Stebbins for their trust in me. I'd also like to thank my family for all their love and support through my years of coaching. I am looking forward to getting started at Santa Fe and continuing to build on their success. LET'S GO SAINTS!"

Professional Background

Jackson was most recently at Florida A&M (FAMU), advancing from his role as Assistant Women's Basketball Coach (Oct. 2020 - June 2021) to Associate Head Women's Basketball Coach from July 2021 - Nov. 2022. He held several responsibilities to effectively manage and direct the NCAA Division I program and is well familiar with the recruiting landscape in Florida, serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Rattlers.

A familiarity with the NJCAA Region 8 and Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) is also something Jackson will bring to the table at SF. From 2016-2020, Jackson served as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach and an adjunct professor at Daytona State College, where he had a hand in (among other things): providing individual instruction to student-athletes, serving as an academic coach, overseeing support staff such as managers and volunteer coaches, and implementing strength and conditioning workouts. During Jackson's tenure, the Falcons claimed one Mid-Florida Conference title, three conference runner-up finishes, and three FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII Tournament appearances. 

Prior to beginning his role at Daytona State, Jackson was the Assistant Director of Compliance and a Game Day Operations Manager for Wingate University in Wingate, N.C. from 2015-2016. While with the Bulldogs, Jackson's primary duties included: ensuring conformity with all aspects of NCAA and Southern Athletic Conference rules, coordinating National Letter of Intent and Grant-in-Aid programs for 22 athletic teams, and overseeing game day management for football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse. 

• Hampton Parks & Recreation, Athletic Department (Hampton, Va.) – Senior Recreation Professional (2014-2015)
• Newport News Behavioral Health Center (Newport News, Va.) - Mental Health Counselor (2012-2015)
• Hampton University Men's Basketball (Hampton, Va.) - Volunteer Assistant Men's Basketball Coach (2012-2015)
• Mont Clare Academy (Phoenixville, Pa.) - Head Basketball Coach (2011-2012)
• School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa.) - NCAA Compliance Program Manager (2008-2011)
• Livingstone College (Salisbury, N.C.) - Assistant Men's Basketball Coach/Academic Advisor (2002-2007)
• Reading Area Community College (Reading, Pa.) - Head Men's Basketball Coach/Coordinator of Recruitment of Admissions/Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance (1997-2002)

Education

Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications with a minor in Psychology from Savannah State University and a Master of Science degree in Sports Management from the California University of Pennsylvania.

Family

A native of Coatesville, Pa., Jackson and his wife Naomi are the proud parents of three children (Jordan, Isaiah, and Russ Jr.).