MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama has hired Jerry Mack as its wide receivers coach, filling the vacancy created when Ron Antoine left to take the same position at Fresno State.
Mack, who spent last season on the staff at Memphis, his hometown, was chosen from a pool of more than 100 applicants. He arrives a little more than a week before the Jaguars open spring practice.
Coaching Background
Mack played wide receiver for one season at Jackson State before transferring to Arkansas State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2003. He then completed three NFL internships with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets.
He returned to the college ranks as an assistant at Delta State from 2004 to 2006, Jackson State from 2006 to 2008 and Central Arkansas from 2008 to 2010. In 2010 he spent one season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff before moving to Memphis.
Joining a New Offensive Staff
Mack is the latest addition to an offensive staff that has changed since last season. Head coach Joey Jones previously announced that offensive coordinator Greg Gregory would not return and hired Robert Matthews from Southern Miss to replace him. Matthews brings a spread offense he helped run at Oklahoma State and Southern Miss.
“I’m just trying to get in here and learn as much as I can from coach Matthews,” Mack said. “They did a great job at Southern Miss and Oklahoma State where he came from. We played those guys when I was at Memphis, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get on this staff and learn his system, which is one of the best systems in college football right now. It’s definitely exciting.”
Choosing Mobile
Mack said the Mobile area was a major factor in his decision.
“The ability to come into the Mobile area was a key,” Mack said. “I have always heard great things about it. I think it’s a great place to raise a family. As for South Alabama, I think it’s on the cutting edge of college football right now. It’s one of the top programs, I feel like, in the Southeastern region.”
Mack also cited his familiarity with the region, both in recruiting and with opponents. He said he knows Sun Belt Conference programs Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee, as well as Hawaii.
Plans for the Receivers
Mack said he intends to build on the foundation Antoine left while bringing his own approach to the position.
“These guys had a good foundation,” Mack said. “I’m going to be able to help take what he had established and build on that. I’m a different style of coach than he is. I’m going to bring a different mentality to the receiver position; being more aggressive. Hopefully, we can improve on our guys’ blocking as well as catching passes and help them understand the new scheme.”
