Jim Jackson
Apple Valley High School
Impact Statement
“Our motto is and always will be that if you work hard, good things will happen.” -Jim Jackson
Biography
Jim Jackson is only the second head coach in the 26-year history of Apple Valley High’s fabulously successful wrestling program. Jackson has been part of the Eagles’ coaching staff for 22 of those 26 years.
After 10 years as an assistant, he became co-head coach of the Eagles in 1991, serving alongside his mentor Bill Demaray, who started the program when the school opened in 1976. Demaray coached his teams to six big-class Minnesota dual state titles. Jackson was part of three of those teams as a co-head coach, in 1991, 1994, and 1995. When Demaray stepped down after the 1995 season, after 20 years at the helm, Jackson became the head coach and had maintained the Eagles’ position at the top of Minnesota high school wrestling until his departure in 2012. Upon his retirement, he had the highest winning percentage (95.8 percent) in the history of Minnesota wrestling, with a record of 619-26-3.
During his 17 years coaching at Apple Valley Jackson won 2 National Championships, 14 Team State Championships, and had 60 Individual State Champs.
In 2015 Jackson took over the reigns at Shakopee High School. Jackson and Sabers are moving in the right direction in the state of Minnesota.
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