Some abrupt and somber news has descended over the college football world. With the modernization of the sport, people tend to forget those who laid the groundwork. For every dollar earned in NIL or every TV screen showcasing the sport to a national audience. There’s sweat equity poured in by coaches who made CFB what it is today. One such coach, who helped lay the foundations for a dynastic school, has sadly passed away. 

The UConn Huskies are more well-known for their escapades on the hardwood than the gridiron. Rightfully so, too. 6 National Championships in the last 25 years, including the previous two in succession. However, as sad as it is, the passing away of a person is often the only time they get their flowers and due credit. To put it into perspective, the football program only received FBS status in the 21st century. This was a watershed moment in the 130-plus-year history of the program. In many ways, it was made possible by the iteration of this team that won 4 FCS conference titles in a 7-year span during the 80s. 3 of these were won by the now-deceased Tom Jackson.

Ex-Huskies HC Tom Jackson died Thursday, January 30th, down in Florida. He was 76. The tragic news was announced by the university and sent everybody into a collective state of mourning. To contextualize how etched into the history of UConn football Jackson is. He’s the 3rd winningest coach in their history, with 62. The total games he was in charge of, 119, are also 3rd all-time. He won a Yankee Conference title in the very first year he became head coach. Additionally, Tom Jackson was an assistant coach for 5 years prior to taking the helm. With one conference title during that period as well. This is a bonafide legend, and everyone in and around Storrs, CT, acknowledges that.

A native of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Jackson is an alum of and played for Penn State. He played from ‘67-’70. After losing in the 1967 Gator Bowl and the 1968 Orange Bowl, Jackson got his comeuppance when he won the 1969 Orange Bowl with PSU. As tri-captain, no less. He permeated this acumen over to hundreds of kids as a coach later, and some of them verbalized their thoughts and prayers in the wake of this sad news. 

A unanimously respected figure within the UConn program and the wider community, Tom Jackson has received words of gratitude and condolence from people he has touched across 3 decades with the Huskies. They expressed a collective sadness as they hailed the life of this underappreciated and begrudgingly forgotten figurehead in the rich history of the school.

Former players and members of media pay their respects to the late Tom Jackson

“RIP coach!!” wrote David Schuman on X, relayed to his over half a million followers. Schuman is a UConn alumnus who played linebacker for the Huskies. Schuman runs NUC Sports or The National Underclassmen Combine. This is the largest-scale high school showcase and combine in the country. The success Schuman went on to have in the coaching sphere only goes to show what kind of effect Tom Jackson had on his disciples.

UConn sports reporter Joe Morelli said, “Tom Jackson could crack jokes with the best of them during his time coaching football at UConn. Made the media sessions fun.” Wherever he is now, hopefully,y Jackson’s just as cheerful as Morelli suggests he used to be. Fans poured in with their condolences as well. “May Tom Jackson soul rest in peace.” wrote one member of Huskies Nation. “RIP Coach. #CTFootball,” wrote another.

The exact details of what led to Tom Jackson’s passing remain inconspicuous at this time. Hopefully, his family and those who survive him can find solace. Jackson shall forever remain a UConn Husky vicariously. A funeral mass for Tom Jackson is due to take place on the morning of February 6 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.