The Seattle Seahawks are hiring former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Jackson was let go by Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, and they hired Zach Azzanni as his replacement. But now, he will work under Mike Macdonald in Seattle.
He was the first assistant to be let go following the hire of new offensive Arthur Smith, but the team quickly moved to fill his spot and build out the new staff under Smith.
Jackson, 44, spent two seasons with the Carolina Panthers and was the receivers coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2017. With the Panthers, Jackson mentored players like Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore, and Curtis Samuel. But with the Steelers, while there was growth from George Pickens and others, other factors surrounding the group likely contributed to Jackson’s departure from the team.
He was a receivers coach at the collegiate level for Baylor (2018-19), Temple (2015-16), NC State (2013-14), North Illinois (2012), Akron (2010-11) and Western Illinois (2008-09). Jackson worked for former Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada and alongside running backs coach Eddie Faulkner for two seasons at NC State.
A Chicago native, Jackson played quarterback at North Illinois from 1997-99, while Canada was on the staff there as running backs coach. He transferred to Western Illinois and made the shift to wide receiver for his senior season in 2000, where he holds the school’s single-game records for receptions and yards.
He spent six seasons in the NFL, five with the Cleveland Browns after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He finished his career with 40 catches for 490 yards and one touchdown.
During his time with the team, there were numerous issues with discipline in the team’s room, causing them to look to the outside to add someone who could fit the blocking intensity that the Smith offense demands out of his players.
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