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Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson (born December 11, 1955) is an American basketball executive, former coach, and college player, best known for his leadership roles in the NBA and collegiate athletics, including his current position as commissioner of the West Coast Conference. A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Jackson began his basketball career as a player at the University of Oregon before transferring to Seattle University, where he graduated in 1978 after averaging 10.5 points per game over 100 contests across both schools. Jackson transitioned into , serving as an assistant with the NBA's from 1987 to 1989 before becoming their in July 1989 at 33, making him the second-youngest in at the time. Under his leadership, the Knicks compiled a 52-45 record and advanced to the playoffs in 1990, defeating the Celtics in the first round before he was fired in December 1990. He later returned to college basketball as at the University of Wisconsin from 1992 to 1994, where he posted a 32-25 record. In executive roles, Jackson served as the inaugural president and general manager of the NBA's expansion Vancouver Grizzlies (later relocated to Memphis) from 1994 to 2000, overseeing the franchise's early operations. He then joined the NBA league office, rising to executive vice president of basketball operations, where he managed game operations, scheduling, discipline, and officiating for 13 years until around 2013. In 2014, he was appointed senior associate commissioner of men's basketball for the BIG EAST Conference, later advancing to executive associate commissioner, before being named the fifth full-time commissioner of the West Coast Conference on March 6, 2023, officially assuming the role on April 24. In May 2024, Jackson was appointed to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee, further solidifying his influence in collegiate basketball governance.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Stu Jackson was born on December 11, 1955, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Growing up in the industrial city of Reading, Jackson developed a deep passion for basketball from a young age, with the sport becoming a central part of his childhood. Jackson attended , where he emerged as a standout for the Knights. As a in the 1972-73 , he led the to its first-ever in the PIAA A state championship game, though they fell short in a 63-62 loss to General Braddock, with Jackson scoring 38 points in the contest. Over his high school career, he amassed a then-school-record 1,563 points, showcasing his scoring prowess and leadership on the court. His contributions were later honored when his jersey number was retired by in 2019. Early influences on Jackson's basketball journey included his high school coach, Jim Gano, who provided mentorship and guidance that shaped his development as a player. These experiences at Reading High laid the foundation for his subsequent pursuits in college basketball.

College Playing Career

Stu Jackson began his college basketball career at the University of Oregon in 1973, where he became a key member of the Ducks' teams known as the "Kamikaze Kids" under head coach Dick Harter. This era, spanning the 1970s, was characterized by a high-energy, fast-paced, and aggressively defensive style of play that emphasized relentless pressure and transition scoring, earning the team a reputation for intense, crowd-thrilling performances at home games. Jackson contributed as a forward, helping the Ducks achieve notable success, including multiple seasons of sold-out arenas and competitive showings in the Pac-8 Conference. Over three seasons at Oregon from 1973 to 1976, Jackson appeared in 84 games, averaging 10.3 points per game while shooting 46.7% from the field, with a career-high of 13.2 points per game in the 1974-75 season alongside 6.1 rebounds per game. He ranked among Pac-8 leaders in scoring and field goals during his sophomore year, scoring a total of 861 points for the Ducks before transferring. In 1976, Jackson transferred to Seattle University, sitting out the 1976-77 season before returning to the court as a senior. At Seattle University in the 1977-78 season, Jackson played in 16 games, averaging 12.0 points per game on 51.0% field goal shooting, helping round out his collegiate career with totals of 100 games and an overall average of approximately 10.5 points per game across both schools. He graduated from Seattle University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, concentrating in management.

Coaching Career

College Coaching Positions

Stu Jackson began his college coaching career as an assistant coach at the from to , where he contributed to player development shortly after completing his playing career with the Ducks. His experience as a member of Oregon's defensively oriented "Kamikaze Kids" teams under coach Dick Harter informed his early emphasis on building robust defensive fundamentals among players. From 1983 to 1985, Jackson served as an assistant coach at Washington State University under head coach Len Stevens, aiding in program operations during a period of competitive rebuilding in the Pac-10 Conference. Jackson then joined Providence College as an assistant coach from 1985 to 1987 under Rick Pitino, serving as the head recruiting coordinator and playing a key role in assembling a talented roster that included future stars Billy Donovan, Billy Guthrie, and Dana Barros. His recruiting efforts and on-court contributions helped the Friars achieve a 25-9 record in the 1986-87 season, culminating in a Cinderella run to the NCAA Final Four—the program's first appearance there since 1973. Later, Jackson returned to head coaching at the University of Wisconsin from 1992 to 1994, compiling an overall record of 32-25 (.561 winning percentage) over two seasons in the Big Ten Conference. In his debut 1992-93 season, the Badgers finished 14-14, marking a step up from prior struggles, while the 1993-94 campaign saw an 18-11 record and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 47 years, including a first-round victory. Jackson's tenure emphasized cultural turnaround and defensive discipline, drawing from his earlier experiences to foster team resilience and strategic growth.

NBA Head Coaching Stints

Stu Jackson began his NBA head coaching career with the , hired on , 1989, at the age of 33, making him the second-youngest in history at that time. In his first season (1989–90), Jackson led the Knicks to a 45–37 regular-season record, securing third place in the Atlantic Division and earning the team its first playoff appearance since 1984. The Knicks advanced in the postseason by upsetting the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics 3–2 in the first round, highlighted by Patrick Ewing's dominant performances, before falling to the Detroit Pistons 4–1 in the conference semifinals. Jackson was named NBA Coach of the Month for December 1989 during this successful stretch. The following season (1990–91) started poorly for the Knicks, with a 7–8 record through 15 games, prompting the team to fire Jackson on December 3, 1990; he was replaced by John MacLeod. Over his 1.5 seasons with New York, Jackson compiled a regular-season record of 52–45 (.537 winning percentage), with a playoff mark of 4–6. Jackson's second NBA head coaching stint came as an interim coach for the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies, appointed on January 24, 1997, after the dismissal of Brian Winters amid the team's 8–35 start in their second season. As the franchise's president and general manager since its inception in 1995, Jackson stepped in to guide the young, rebuilding squad through its final 39 games, facing significant challenges with an inexperienced roster that included rookies like Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The Grizzlies struggled under his leadership, finishing the partial season 6–33 (.154 winning percentage), contributing to the team's overall 14–68 record and last-place standing in the Midwest Division. Jackson was not retained as beyond the 1996–97 , with Sidney hired for the 1997–98 , allowing Jackson to refocus on his duties with the Grizzlies. His overall NBA stands at 58–78 in 136 regular-season (.426 ) and 4–6 in the , spanning the two stints with the Knicks and Grizzlies.

Executive Career

NBA League Operations Roles

Stu Jackson began his NBA in 1991 as the Director of Basketball Operations, a newly created position focused on overseeing on-court matters including officiating, player conduct, and rule interpretations. In this role, he contributed to referee training programs and enforcement of game rules, drawing on his recent experience as of the New York Knicks to bridge coaching perspectives with league-wide standards. His tenure lasted until 1992, during which he helped standardize procedures for discipline and scheduling amid the 's expansion era. In 1994, Jackson transitioned to the Vancouver Grizzlies as President and General Manager, serving through 2000 and guiding the expansion franchise's early development. He oversaw player acquisitions, coaching hires, and operational strategies, though the team struggled with a 78–300 record over his five seasons, reflecting challenges in building competitiveness in a new market. Jackson played a key role in relocation discussions as attendance and financial issues mounted, paving the way for the franchise's move to Memphis in 2001, shortly after his departure. Returning to the NBA league office in 2000, Jackson was appointed Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations, a position he held until 2007, when he advanced to Vice President. In these capacities, he managed a portfolio encompassing operations, expansion, officiating oversight, and player discipline, including the implementation of policies on flopping penalties, block/charge calls, and anti-fraternization rules for referees to maintain impartiality. He also contributed to salary cap enforcement and labor relations efforts, such as negotiating with the NBA Players Association on competitive balance issues. Additionally, Jackson advanced diversity initiatives within the league, supporting minority hiring in basketball operations and administration roles during a period of increased focus on inclusivity. His 13-year stint in the office concluded in 2013, marked by enhancements to referee training and global outreach programs.

College Conference Leadership

Prior to his role at the West Coast Conference, Jackson served in the BIG EAST Conference from 2014 to 2023. Appointed Senior Associate Commissioner of Men's Basketball in July 2014, he oversaw operations and strategic planning from the conference headquarters in New York City. He later advanced to Executive Associate Commissioner, contributing to the league's basketball initiatives during a period of realignment and maintaining its prominence in college athletics. In March 2023, Stu Jackson was appointed as the fifth full-time commissioner of the West Coast Conference (WCC), a role he officially began on April 24, 2023. In this position, he oversees operations for the conference's 10 member institutions, including strategic planning, scheduling, and management of the annual WCC Basketball Championships tournament held in Las Vegas. Jackson's leadership has emphasized enhancing the conference's visibility and competitiveness in NCAA Division I men's basketball, drawing on his extensive executive experience to navigate realignment challenges and expansion efforts. A key initiative under Jackson's tenure has been the expansion of the WCC's media rights partnerships. In August 2023, the conference secured a multi-year digital media rights agreement with ESPN, enabling ESPN+ to stream over 900 WCC events annually, including more than 100 men's basketball games, while maintaining linear broadcasts on ESPN networks and CBS Sports Network. This deal aims to broaden fan access and revenue streams for member schools. Additionally, Jackson has prioritized diversity in athletics hiring through the WCC's adoption of the Russell Rule, a commitment to interview diverse candidates for senior positions; over the first three years of implementation, 57% of the 312 hires across the conference were from diverse backgrounds. In May 2024, Jackson was appointed to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee, where he serves a four-year term influencing the selection of at-large teams, seeding, and bracketing for the annual NCAA Tournament, commonly known as March Madness. This role positions him to advocate for mid-major conferences like the WCC in national postseason decisions, leveraging his prior NCAA committee experience from his time as a coach. His NBA executive background further informs his perspective on collegiate governance, bridging professional and amateur basketball structures.

Awards and Recognition

Jackson was named NBA Coach of the Month for December 1989 while head coach of the New York Knicks. He was inducted into the Pac-12 Hall of Honor in 2017. In 2022, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

References

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