2 New Coordinators Who Could Make a Difference

By: Mac Brown, @SSN_GSU

As promised, the ninth stop of our countdown has arrived. Just like every week, this list isn’t in ascending or descending order, but rather a comprehensive list. This time, the countdown will go over the two new coordinators for the Panthers this season. On the offensive side, Georgia State has NFL experienced, Hue Jackson. And on the defensive side they have Travis Pearson, who’s been coaching for almost 30 years now. Jackson was on staff last season as the recruiting operations coordinator and Pearson spent last season in Troy, AL coaching the Trojan cornerbacks. They both bring stylistic differences from last year but neither drastic enough to cause setbacks. Whether it’s the experience Jackson brings, or the energy Pearson brings, both could very well be key difference makers for a hopeful improved Panthers squad in 2025. Let’s begin…

1.  Hue Jackson – Offensive Coordinator

Jackson was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1965 and played quarterback at University of the Pacific in the mid-80s. He would then start his coaching career at his alma mater in 1987, coaching wide receivers, running backs, and special teams. Jackson is most known for his time in the NFL, most notably with the Bengals where he coached for 8 combined seasons. Jackson has commented on the high character and winning aptitude of head coach, Dell McGee, and that those are two of the biggest factors in him taking the job at GSU. Jackson was more behind the scenes in 2024 and will now take one of the more important positions on the entire staff. If he can repeat some of the success he experienced in Cincinnati, the Panthers could be poised for an explosive 2025.

After coaching at his alma mater for a few years, Jackson made several stops before taking his first NFL gig in Washington in 2001. Jackson predominantly stayed, in what was at the time, the Pac-10 with stops at Arizona State, Cal, and USC. During his time in the Pac-10, Jackson coached the likes of Jake Plummer, Tony Gonzalez, and Carson Palmer. He helped lead some of the better offenses in the country which ultimately led to him making the leap to the NFL. Once Jackson made it to Sundays, his coaching pedigree was raised as well. Jackson coached Washington running back, Stephen Davis, to a then franchise record 1,432 rushing yards in 2001. After a few seasons in the DMV, Jackson headed to southwest Ohio to coach Bengals wide receivers. Who were those wide receivers you ask? None other than Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh. Johnson and Houshmandzadeh became one of the most prolific receiving tandems in the league, and one of the better ones of the entire decade. The duo, and Jackson, helped the Bengals reach the postseason for the first time in 15 years in 2005. Jackson then headed south and got his first taste of the Peach State in 2007 when he led the Falcons offense. He would then make stops in Oakland, Cleveland, and end his time in the NFL back in the Queen City. Jackson certainly experienced some lows during those years but his time on the banks of the Ohio River will always shine through.

Jackon’s track record speaks for itself and his ability to lean on the strengths of the offense likely landed him this role for GSU. In Washington, he leaned on their offensive line and a stud running back in Davis and had a top 10 rushing attack. In Cincinnati, he leaned on the explosive talents of the receivers and had top 5 passing attack. Then in Oakland, he again leaned on the abilities of do-it-all running back, Darren McFadden, and had a top 6 scoring offense in the NFL. Point blank, if there’s talent on the field, Jackson will utilize it and will do so at a high level.

In a recent press conference Jackson commented on how the college game is different and that there’s “a lot more things you can do from a formation standpoint.” Expect to see many different looks, sets, and pre-snap motions from the Panthers this season. In the same presser, Jackson commented on the talent of WR Ted Hurst and the depth of the running back room. If his history suggests anything, expect Jackson to lean on Hurst and his stable of running backs, particularly the prolific WR. Hurst could follow in the footsteps of Johnson, Houshmandzadeh, Roddy White, or AJ Green and be the next stat sheet-stuffing receiver Jackson has been behind. All signs point to Hurst having a monster year in 2025 and Jackson will be sure to continue to feed him. However, don’t expect the Panthers to abandon the run game, especially with the talent that group has. Jackson mentioned in his recent presser that “you throw to score, but gotta run to win”. Expect a nice balance from the Panthers with potential for one to be emphasized based on the season’s outcomes.

Jackson has been coaching for close to 40 years now and has pretty much always led high-powered offenses. There’s no reason to think his stint at GSU should be any different. With the players he’ll be able to work with, this could be yet another high-powered offense Jackson is responsible for. This could very well be Jackson’s last stop in the coaching world and there’s no doubt he will want to make it count. His resume gives the Panther faithful plenty of reason to believe he can do precisely that, too.

2.  Travis Pearson – Defensive Coordinator

Pearson is from God’s country, the Southeast. He grew up in Silas, AL and attended Alabama State University. Pearson played three seasons for the Hornets before heading to the Arena Football League where he would play for 8 seasons and be named to the AFL 15th Anniversary Team. GSU is his third stop in the Sun Belt Conference, with previous stops at South Alabama and Troy. Pearson is known for his high energy and for his defenses to play fast and physical. Pearson joined McGee’s staff in March and is looking to bring an edge to his side of the ball quickly. Pearson has a ton of experience, not only in the Sun Belt, but the entire landscape of the sport. He’s been a head coach at the high school level, a defensive coordinator at multiple D1 schools, and was even the Director of Football Operations for Iowa State from 2007-2008. Pearson will use his knowledge of the game and invaluable experience to help get the Panthers defense back on track.

Pearson started coaching back in 1998 when he was the head coach for Central High School in Hayneville, AL. Excluding his stint in Ames, Pearson spent the first fifteen years of his career at the high school level. In 2013, he joined Joey Jones’ staff in Mobile and coached the South Alabama linebackers. In his lone season as the linebackers coach, LB Enrique Williams had 105 combined tackles and was named All-Sun Belt Second Team. In the following two seasons he was promoted to defensive coordinator for the Jaguars. In his first season as the DC the Jaguars were second in the conference in defensive scoring and fourth in yards allowed. He then continued to bounce around the state of Alabama and made stops at Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and most recently Troy. Pearson spent three seasons with the Trojans coaching their cornerbacks and won two Sun Belt Conference Championships in the process. Pearson knows this region of the country and this conference like the back of his hand and the championship pedigree he’ll bring to Hank Aaron Drive this season will be noticeable.

Pearson was a late hire, but a welcomed one at that. His knowledge of the Sun Belt and his performance history made him a no-brainer hire for McGee and co. Pearson has led top 5 Sun Belt defenses and coached several all-conference players at both of his stops in the league and there’s not a single reason to believe he won’t do the same at Georgia State. Pearson stated in a recent press conference that winning is a “state of mind” and that he and others emphasized that at Troy. It resulted in back-to-back conference championships for the Trojans. Pearson understands the full body effort, mental and physical, that it takes to succeed at a high level in D1 FBS football. He’ll now look to use this opportunity to prove he can be the one leading an entire defense again.

Pearson has emphasized many times that his defense will play fast and physical. They’ll look to get off the field on third down and keep applying the pressure. Giving the offense more opportunities to score will ultimately favor the Panthers. He’ll have plenty of studs to work with as well. Pearson recently mentioned guys like Deuce Lewis, Josiah Robinson, Damaine Wilson, and Henry Bryant as “cowbells” for the defense this season. All four of them could end up being added to list of All-Sun Belt players Pearson has coached. If they play up to style of play Pearson has shown in the past, go ahead and place your bets on that happening.

Pearson has experience with all three levels of the defense, most recently the secondary. He’s mentioned the length of the secondary and that there are still some technicalities they’re working through during fall camp. It may not happen right off the bat, but with Pearson's history with this position group, the secondary could certainly end up being a strength for the Panthers. If that is to happen, look out. The front seven for this defense is loaded and should provide constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This defense could be a sneaky good unit for the Panthers in 2025. And if that happens, Pearson will unquestionably be the biggest reason why.