Steve Jackson joined the Washington Redskins coaching staff in 2004 bringing invaluable experience with the defensive backfield.
In addition to coaching the safeties and specializing in third-down packages for the Buffalo Bills for three seasons (2001-03), Jackson played nine years as a defensive back in the NFL.
That experience paid dividends in 2008, when, under Jackson's tutelage, rookie safety Chris Horton made a tremendous impact in his debut year, far surpassing the expectations of a seventh round pick.
When projected starter Reed Doughty was ruled out with an illness for Week 2's game against New Orleans, Horton stepped in and was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after registering two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the game. Horton was also named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.
In Week 6, against St. Louis, Horton was perhaps Washington’s best defensive player as he led the team with 12 tackles, including three for loss and many more near the line of scrimmage, and a forced fumble. He followed that up the next week against Cleveland with nine tackles and a pass defended.
In his second season under Jackson, after moving to free safety during training camp, LaRon Landry recorded 70 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 13 passes defended, and was voted as the first alternate to the NFC Pro Bowl squad at his position.
Jackson's safeties played a crucial role in the 2008 Redskins defense finishing the season ranked fourth overall in yards allowed per game (288.8) and sixth overall in points allowed per game (18.5).
Jackson played a major role in developing the late Sean Taylor into a two-time Pro Bowl performer with the team.
Before his tragic death in 2007, Taylor was enjoying his most successful season in the NFL. Through Week 12, he amassed 46 tackles (34 solo) and was tied for third in the NFL in interceptions (five). He recorded a career-high two picks against the Packers. Taylor was selected as a posthumous starter for the 2008 Pro Bowl and named first team All-Pro.
Jackson originally joined the coaching staff of the Buffalo Bills in 2001. He was responsible for coaching the team’s safeties, as well as organizing and implementing the defensive unit’s third-down package.
Jackson played nine seasons in the NFL (1991-99) as a defensive back for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans.
He played in 127 games and during that span made 28 starts, finishing his career with 14 interceptions and nine sacks. Jackson originally entered the NFL as a third-round selection (71st overall) by the Houston Oilers in the 1991 NFL Draft.
Jackson was awarded the Ed Block Courage Award in 1998 after rehabbing a ruptured tendon during the offseason. He posted a career-high 72 tackles during the 1998 campaign.
His best season came in 1993 when he played in all 16 games and started 12 with a career-high five interceptions. One of his interceptions occurred in a postseason play off Kansas City’s Joe Montana.
He concluded his playing career with an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV against the St. Louis Rams.
A four-year starter at cornerback out of Purdue, Jackson earned Associated Press honorable mention All-America, Gannett First-Team All America and All-Big Ten selections as a senior. He was a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior, the award annually given to the nation’s top defensive back.
Jackson was an advertising major while at Purdue. He has a daughter Dominique and a son Stephen.
