SE Valley Times

In August 2009, Jamea Jackson decided to retire from the Women's Tennis Association Tour due to a recurring hip injury. At 23 years old, she was uncertain about her next steps after playing professionally for six years.

A day later, Chris Young, Oklahoma State University tennis coach, called Jackson with an offer for an undergraduate coaching position on his staff. Young arranged for a one-way ticket to Tulsa, where Jackson began her new journey in Stillwater. “We told her, ‘Come out and see if you like it...’” Young said. Jackson accepted the role and quickly settled into life as a coach.

Arizona State University recently appointed Jackson as their women's tennis coach following Sheila McInerney's retirement after four decades. ASU Athletics Director Graham Rossini remarked on Jackson’s impressive journey: “She went professional at 16... She just has incredible tennis experience at a young age.”

Jackson's athletic abilities were evident early on, inspired by her father Earnest's NFL career. Her mother Ruby recalled Jackson's competitiveness even as a first-grader in Atlanta. This drive continued through her tennis career and was fueled by sibling rivalry with her brother Jarryd.

At 11 years old, Jackson attended the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy after winning an ATA national tournament scholarship. There, Bollettieri predicted her potential to be among the world's best players.

Upon learning of McInerney’s retirement from ASU, Jackson was initially hesitant but encouraged by colleagues and former coaches like McInerney herself who advocated for her hiring.

Jackson credits her coaching philosophy to experiences at USTA and employs a "five Ps" system designed by Jose Higueras: patience, planning, periodization, progressions, and the person.

Now leading ASU’s Sun Devils team amid warm weather in Tempe, Jackson feels fortunate: “I feel really blessed to be able to get up and go to work at a place that is all-encompassing.”