Jackson resigns as Liberty baseball coach, will reportedly join Forbes’ UNC staff

By R.L. Bynum

Scott Jackson is expected to return to the North Carolina baseball coaching staff.

Jackson resigned Thursday after eight seasons as Liberty’s head coach and, according to multiple reports, will join Coach Scott Forbes’ staff at UNC.

Jackson was an assistant coach under Coach Mike Fox from 2009 to 2016 before becoming the first coach to take Liberty to three NCAA regionals (2019, 2021 and 2022). Jackson was on the Tar Heels staff when they made the College World Series in 2009, 2011 and 2013.

Jackson, a Charlotte native, told the Lynchburg News and Advance that family and his friendship with Forbes and Bryant Gaines, UNC’s assistant head coach and pitching coach, played a major role in the decision.

“And so I get to do it with them every day and take care of my family, and that really made a lot of sense,” he told the News and Advance.

After Jackson resigned, all Liberty players could enter the transfer portal. Star outfielder Kane Kepley, pitcher Ryan Butler and shortstop Tanner Marsh have done so. Last season, Kepley, who is from Salisbury and just finished his sophomore season, hit .332 with 12 doubles, nine home runs, 31 RBI, 53 walks and 25 steals in 58 games. Obviously, there’s a chance that they could follow Jackson to UNC. Butler was 0–1 with a 4.66 ERA in 23 appearances. Marsh hit .272 with four homers and 20 RBI.

The Flames endured back-to-back losing seasons after Jackson led Liberty to back-to-back NCAA regionals in 2021 and 2022. They went 29–31 in their final season in the Atlantic Sun in 2023 and 24–34 last season, their first in Conference USA.

“It didn’t go our way the last couple of years, and I’m not running from that. I’m not hiding from that,” he told the News and Advance. “I don’t like it at all … it’s frustrating, but at the same time, I’m thankful for the relationships I have here and [Liberty athletics director] Ian McCaw and the impact his leadership has had on me.”

Jackson, 246–181 in his eight seasons at Liberty, guided the Flames to a school-record 43 wins and the Atlantic Sun title in 2019, when he was named ASUN Coach of the Year.

Jackson was the Liberty pitching coach in 2008 before his eight seasons on Fox’s staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

Jackson played at Campbell, hitting .268 while playing several positions. He started his coaching career with one season each as an assistant coach at Wofford, Barton and Campbell before serving as UNCW pitching coach from 2003–07.

He was head coach of the Wilmington Sharks in 2002 and earned Coastal Plain League Coach of the Year honors.

Jackson has a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1998 and a master’s degree in education in 2000 from Campbell.

Photo via @LibertyBaseball