Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Athletics Mourns The Loss of Mickey Jackson
8/15/2026 10:30:00 AM | Football, General
Herd HoFer was pivotal figure in football team’s rebirth after 1970 Marshall plane tragedy
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Athletics is mourning the loss of Marshall Hall of Famer William Mickey Jackson.
Jackson, who starred for the Herd as a player, then became one of the central figures in rebuilding and preserving Marshall Football following the 1970 Marshall plane crash, passed away on Aug. 6. He was 81 years old.
Jackson's impact on the Marshall University and Marshall Athletics communities was profound.
Jackson was inducted into the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985 and later, he served as president of the Marshall Alumni Association's Board of Directors. Most recently, he was inducted into the Marshall Black Alumni Hall of Fame in 2024.
When we talk about standing on the shoulders of giants, there were few who impacted Marshall Athletics and its legacy greater than Mickey Jackson, said Gerald J. Harrison, Marshall Vice President and Director of Athletics. Mickey's contributions to Marshall as a player, coach and ambassador were vital in building and then rebuilding our foundation following tragedy and we are forever indebted to him. We want to send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all of Herd Nation.
Jackson was inducted into the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985 after a career as a player and coach that left a lasting imprint on our foundation at Marshall University.
A native of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., Jackson came to Marshall as a standout in-state high school football player prior to the 1964 season – one in which the Thundering Herd vaulted to a 7-3 record.
In 1965, Jackson cemented his stance as one of the Herd's key players, rushing for 704 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns for the Herd. His 96 points scored ranked No. 4 nationally that year.
His biggest impact within the community and Marshall history came later, though. Following his playing days, Jackson stayed in Huntington and served as a teacher and coach at Huntington High School before joining the Marshall Football coaching staff prior to the 1970 season.
On Nov. 14, 1970, Jackson and assistant coach Carl Kokor were scouting an opponent and did not travel with the team to the fateful game at East Carolina University in which the Marshall team plane crashed upon return to Tri-State Airport following the 17-14 loss in Greenville, N.C. to the Pirates.
Following the tragedy, Jackson stayed at Marshall and served as a running backs coach for head coach Jack Lengyel to help rebuild the Herd while also serving as a key community figure in preserving the memory of those lost as well.
Jackson's coaching career later took him to Miami (Ohio) and Ohio State before he entered the steel industry. He later became an executive with State Farm, retiring in 2011.
No matter where Jackson went, he took the Herd and its powerful story with him.
Jackson has a celebration of life scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. in Gahanna, Ohio, and a memorial service is also scheduled for Aug. 21 at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. with 10 a.m. being visitation prior to an 11 a.m. funeral service.
Marshall Athletics sends its deepest condolences to his wife of 57 years, Linda, as well as all family and friends who are mourning his loss.
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