Kennesaw State University Athletics

Tommy Jackson is entering his third year as an athletics academic counselor at Kennesaw State University.

He currently is the academic counselor for the football team. In the spring of 2016, the football team had 32 student-athletes have over a 3.0 and five student-athletes named Presidential Scholars for earning 4.0 GPA's during the semester. 

Prior to his role at Fox 6 News, Jackson served two years (2011-2013) in the Student-Athlete Support Services Department at Auburn where he assisted student-athletes, primarily working with the football program.

Jackson also spent one year working as program director for the at-risk student program within the Opelika City Schools system in Opelika, Ala., and served as a defensive line coach at Opelika High.

Jackson transitioned into a career in education after playing three seasons in the NFL as a defensive lineman with the Atlanta Falcons (2006) and Kansas City Chiefs (2007-09).

While in the NFL, Jackson was actively involved in community projects as he gave his time assisting at-risk youth, volunteering at various charities and ministries in Atlanta and Kansas City, Mo.

In March of 2009, Jackson founded and now serves as president and chief executive officer of The TJ Jackson Foundation.

Dedicated to helping and inspiring youth, Jackson has a long history of giving keynote speeches to youth groups, the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs and church organizations.

A native of Opelika, Ala., Jackson was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference first team selection, freshman All-American, and was a member of the 2004 undefeated Tigers team that captured the SEC championship. He received a bachelor’s degree in public administration, went on to earn a master’s degree in educational foundations, leadership and technologies in adult education, and earned a doctorate of philosophy from Auburn.  He will complete his master’s of business administration and master’s of public administration degrees in fall 2015.  

He and his wife, Dr. Ashley Jackson, have a son and a daughter, Judah and Hannah.