Jackson has its next head football coach

The Jackson Indians have their next head football coach.

Ryan Nesbitt will lead the Indians program in the fall. The school made the announcement Friday morning, noting Nesbitt has 14 years of experience as a football coach. He most recently served as the head football coach at Troy Buchanan High School in Troy, Missouri.

In the news release, the school district stated Nesbitt took Troy Buchanan to its first final four appearance, was named the school’s all-time winningest coach, and holds several other school records.

“After a careful and thoughtful search, we look forward to working with Coach Nesbitt at Jackson High School,” said John Martin, Jackson R-2 School District athletic director. “We believe he will be a great fit for our student athletes and school community.”

Nesbitt will succeed Brent Eckley, who has been the head coach at Jackson since 2012. Eckley’s teams won seven conference championships, six district championships and a state title in 2020.

"There's very few schools that have the history of excellence in the sport of football like (Jackson) does," Nesbitt said. "The culture is tremendous."

Eckley said he was retiring from Jackson in January, but shortly thereafter Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Arkansas announced he would become the head coach of its program in the fall.

“The philosophies of Coach Nesbitt line up well with the tough, smart, strong culture of the JHS football program,” stated Eckley in the news release. “I have no doubt that he will continue to build upon the success of this program because of his passion for helping players be their best and his appreciation of this hardworking staff, as well as being part of such a supportive football community.”

The news released noted the community would have an opportunity to meet the new coach in the coming weeks.

Nesbitt and his wife, Kara, have three daughters.

Ryan Nesbitt was named the next head football coach for Jackson High School. He and his wife, Kara, have three daughters. Submitted