West Long Branch, N.J.-  Monmouth University Football has named Juwan Jackson as the team's defensive line coach , head coach Kevin Callahan announced Thursday.

Jackson, a former all-conference center at Marist College, most recently served a season as the defensive line intern at the University of Oregon.

"Juwan is a great fit and a welcome addition to the football staff," said Callahan. "He has a good background in college football and we look forward to his contributions to the Monmouth program."

While at Oregon, Jackson and the Ducks won the 2009 Pac-10 Championship, earning a bid to the Rose Bowl.  Jackson spent the previous year as the Player Development/Academic graduate assistant at Rutgers University where he worked with the Scarlet Knight's offensive line (2007) and wide receivers (2008 Spring Ball).  He also had a host of academic responsibilities, including monitoring study hall, mentoring the freshmen academically and checking class attendance records.

"I'm very excited to start my new position," said Jackson. "I have been waiting for the opportunity to be the sole coach at a position again.   Thankfully, Coach Callahan gave me that chance and after seeing what the University has to offer, not only myself but also my players, I know now it's a blessing to be here."

Jackson is no stranger to the Northeast Conference as he spent the 2006 season as the defensive tackles coach at Wagner College.  While at the Staten Island campus, Jackson attained his Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.

A two-time All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection at center for Marist College, Jackson also earned All-American honors for the Red Foxes.  He spent time with the New York Jets in 2003 but was cut before training camp, going on to play with the Loredo Law of the Arena Football League later that year.  In 2004 he played with the Manchester Wolves of the AF2.

Jackson got his coaching start at his alma mater, mentoring three different positions with the Red Foxes from 2003-2005.  He was also active in recruiting, covering all of New Jersey, parts of New York, New York City public school districts and Delaware.  During different points of his time at Marist, Jackson coached the center/guards, the tight ends and the wide receiving corps.  In his final two seasons, he served as recruiting coordinator in addition to his video coordinator responsibilities.

"Two things made coming to Monmouth an easy decision," said Jackson.  "First, is the family atmosphere of the staff.  Everyone gets along great and fit with my personality and coaching style. Second, I am from New Jersey and it feels good to be back home again after spending time at the University of Oregon."

A native of Madison, N.J., Jackson graduated from Marist with a degree in Communications in 2003.  He is also a member of American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Black Coaches Association (BCA).

Jackson will mentor a unit that returns three starters from a year ago and features a wealth of young talent.

TRANSACTIONS: Juwan Jackson hired as defensive line coach at Monmouth University.