Benedict College has appointed Dannton Jackson as the head men’s basketball coach, according to an announcement by Dr. Roslyn C. Artis, President, and Willie Washington, Director of Athletics. Jackson transitions to Benedict College from Talladega College, where he held the dual role of Head Basketball Coach and Deputy Athletic Director.

During his tenure at Talladega College, the Tornados achieved notable success, including a 20-9 record in the recent season. This past season included a victory over Division I Alcorn State in an exhibition game, along with wins against SIAC powerhouse Miles and LeMoyne-Owen. The 2023-24 season saw the Tornados post a 22-7 record, highlighted by a 15-1 start and nine wins against NCAA Division II teams. Jackson's achievements earned him the Hoop Dirt NAIA National Coach of the Week title. Over three seasons, he led Talladega to a 54-33 record (.621).

Willie Washington expressed enthusiasm about Jackson's appointment, stating, “We are excited to bring such a talented coach with a rich history of success to lead the Benedict Tigers. Coach Jackson is a Hall of Fame Coach who has a proven track record and possesses the experience, talent, and determination to advance our basketball team to the next level. In addition to ensuring that his student-athletes excel on the basketball court, Coach Jackson has an unwavering commitment to helping players develop the discipline required to succeed academically and achieve both their professional and personal goals.”

Jackson shared his excitement about joining Benedict College, saying, “I’m truly blessed and excited to be here at Benedict College. This is a special place with a proud legacy, and I’m ready to get to work. My goal is to build a program that our students, alumni, and the entire Benedict family can be proud of. We’re going to compete, we’re going to grow as men, and we’re going to win the right way—together.”

Before his time at Talladega, Jackson served as an assistant coach at Division I University of Albany for one season and at the University of Alabama-Birmingham for four years. Notably, Jackson spent over a decade transforming Xavier University of Louisiana’s men’s basketball program. His record at Xavier was 294-130 (.693), establishing him as XULA’s all-time winningest head coach in men’s basketball. Jackson was inducted into XULA’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024.

Under Jackson's leadership, Xavier achieved 20 victories 11 times, secured five Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championships — including three consecutive from 2011-14 — and qualified for NAIA nationals 10 times, with appearances in each of his final six seasons. His Gold Rush teams averaged 22.6 victories per season. He also served two terms as athletic director at Xavier University and was the first African-American to serve as the president of men’s basketball for the NAIA Division I and Division II. His Xavier teams were ranked 93 times in the NAIA Division I Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, including 68 appearances in 69 polls from Oct. 25, 2010-Jan. 19, 2016.

Jackson's coaching accolades include being named the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year from 2012-14, making him the only coach to win the award in three consecutive seasons. He also served as a court coach for the 2012 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team.

A Los Angeles native, Jackson's basketball career began at Xavier University Louisiana, where he played on the men’s team. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a master of arts in education administration in 1996. Jackson transitioned to coaching full-time at Xavier, starting as an assistant women’s basketball coach under Janice Joseph-Richard. He then held various roles, including head men’s and women’s cross country coach, assistant men’s basketball coach, and associate basketball coach under Dale Valdery, before becoming head coach in 2002.

Jackson has mentored numerous players who have become head coaches, including Shaun Dumas (Crescent City Christian School) and Landon Bussie at Alcorn State. He has also coached one of the nation’s top AAU basketball teams and mentored more than eight NBA players.