When you look back at the last few years of Alabama baseball, it's remarkable that they would be in the position they are currently in as one of eight teams left alive for the National Championship.
On Saturday, Alabama will face Oklahoma in the College World Series. It's the program's first appearance in Omaha this century.
None of it would have happened without pitching coach Jason Jackson.
Jackson started with Alabama back in 2018, and he took over as the interim head coach in 2023 after Brad Bohannon was fired amid a gambling scandal that shook a program that was finally garnering some momentum. Jackson did more than steady the ship. He took the team to a Super Regional for the first time since 2010, and there was a lot of support for Greg Byrne to remove the interim tag and promote Jackson.
Byrne opted with Rob Vaughn instead, pulling the Maryland head coach. Vaughn retained Jackson, and knows just how important Jackson has been to getting the Tide's program to where it is right now. He knows none of it would have been possible without him.
"It’s great; it feels good when people come up and say, ‘Coach, you’ve turned it around, you’ve done this.’ Jason Jackson started that. Jason Jackson started that 10 years ago," Vaughn said on Thursday during a media appearance at the College World Series.
Rob Vaughn gives effusive praise to Alabama assistant coach Jason Jackson
It wasn't easy for Jackson to choose to stay at Alabama in 2023. He had to be disappointed to not get the promotion he felt he deserved after leading the Crimson Tide into the Supers. He and Vaughn had no relationship whatsoever when Byrne hired Vaughn, but he decided to stay anyway, to stay loyal to a university and a program he's poured a lot into.
It's paid off.
Alabama is in the College World Series for the first time since 1999. A large part of that is due to Jackson's pitching staff, which consistently gives the Crimson Tide a chance night in and night out. It'll give them a chance in Omaha, too.
Making it to the College World Series meant a lot to everyone associated with Alabama baseball. From the former and current players, to the coaches, to the fans. This is a historical moment for the program, ending a 27-year drought. Regardless of what happens from here, it's been a magical ride for this team.
While the trip to Omaha is a reward for everyone connected to the program, Vaughn knows there are a few people who have waited longer than others for this moment.
Jackson is one of them.
"I was excited for us, I was excited for our players, I was excited for our coaches, Vaughn said about Alabama getting to Omaha. "But not always in life do you get rewarded for doing the right thing. Sometimes you get punched right in the nose for doing the right thing. To see JJ get rewarded with leading a team and a pitching staff to Omaha, in a place that he’s invested far longer than I have…
"I’m so grateful for him; I’m so grateful for his friendship. I could go on and on about him. He’s a special human. I’m just fortunate to get to coach alongside him every day.”
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