Nate Jackson - Wrestling Coach - Princeton University Athletics

Nate Jackson

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
nathanj@princeton.edu

Nate Jackson, a two-time All-American who won more than 100 career matches for Indiana University, will enter his sixth season as an assistant coach with the Princeton wrestling team during the 2022-23 academic year.

While Jackson assisted in many roles with the program, his work with Patrick Brucki '20 helped lead the Class of 2021 wrestler high into the national rankings, as well as berths in each of his first three NCAA Championships and 2019 All-America honors with a fourth-place finish. Brucki won the EIWA title in 2019 and is a three-time All-Ivy honoree.

"Within about a minute after Nate left his interview, we decided he was the one we wanted to join our staff," head coach Chris Ayres said upon Jackson's hiring. "He couldn't be a more ideal replacement in the fact that he wants to continue to compete, he wants to coach as a profession, and he can work with our big guys. There was a lot of synergy on his visit, as if he had already been here for some time. It just felt completely right. I'm certain when he gets here we are going to hit the ground running."

Jackson completed his stellar collegiate career with his second straight All-American honor at the 2017 NCAA Championships. A two-time captain for the Hoosiers, Jackson is a former Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honoree, as well as a former University Freestyle Nationals All-American.

Jackson brings a pair of connections to the Tiger wrestling family. He wrestled with former Tiger and 2015 EIWA finalist Chris Perez '16 last season while Perez did a graduate school year with the Hoosiers. Prior to that, Jackson earned a top honor within the program — the Joe Dubuque Most Outstanding Wrestler (Dubuque, currently an associate head coach at Princeton, was a two-time NCAA champion with the Hoosiers).

"What attracted me most about the program is its trajectory," Jackson said. "The leadership and vision of Chris and his staff has enabled the program to reach great heights. The fun part is that things are only getting better. Moreover, this awesome staff will help me to get the most out of myself as I begin my coaching and international wrestling careers. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by driven individuals at a time when the program is gaining momentum. The future is bright in Princeton! I would also like to thank my wife, Raychelle, for her willingness to move across the nation to help student-athlete realize lofty goals."

34038