Central Arkansas Bears Softball Welcomes Aaron Jackson to Coaching Staff
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A highly accomplished coach, Aaron Jackson, has joined the Central Arkansas Bears softball programme, completing Head Coach Kayla Lucas’s inaugural coaching staff. Jackson arrives in Conway following a triumphant five-year tenure at Iowa State University.
Lucas, who recently took the helm of the Bears program, has quickly assembled a team poised for success. The addition of Jackson signifies a commitment to building a competitive and well-rounded program.
building a Legacy: Jackson’s proven Track Record
During his time with the Iowa State Cyclones, Jackson specialized in coaching the outfield, a unit that flourished under his guidance.The Cyclones’ outfielders earned a remarkable array of accolades, including two All-American honors, three all-Region selections, and six All-Big 12 recognitions.This success contributed to a five-year win total of 138 games for the program.
Notably, with Jackson on staff, Iowa State achieved its highest-ever finish in the Big 12 conference in 2025, securing third place with a 15-game conference winning record. This demonstrates Jackson’s ability to elevate a program to new heights.
From Startup to Success: A Decade of Head Coaching Experience
Prior to his role at Iowa State, Jackson spent over a decade as a head coach, demonstrating his leadership and program-building skills at both Carroll College and eastern Oregon University. At Carroll College, he faced the challenge of establishing a softball program from the ground up. Within three years, he transformed the fledgling team into a Cascade Conference Division Champion.His dedication to player progress resulted in 16 all-conference award winners and six All-Region players.
At Eastern Oregon University, Jackson continued to foster a winning culture.His teams consistently featured ten all-conference performers, and were recognized for their commitment to academics, consistently achieving a top-25 GPA in the NAIA. Furthermore, his players earned two NAIA Academic All-American honors, highlighting the program’s holistic approach to student-athlete development.
Joining a Promising Bears Squad
Jackson joins a Central Arkansas team with a strong core of returning players. The Bears boast the reigning ASUN Freshman of the Year and First Team All-ASUN outfielder, Addie Graham, alongside Third Team All-ASUN members Bailie Runner, Lilly hood, and Kaitlyn Graham.Thes talented athletes provide a solid foundation for Jackson and Lucas to build upon as they embark on their journey with the Bears.
Why: The Central Arkansas Bears softball program hired aaron Jackson to complete Head Coach Kayla Lucas’s coaching staff,aiming to build a competitive and well-rounded team.
Who: Aaron Jackson, a highly accomplished coach with experience at Iowa State, Carroll College, and Eastern Oregon University, joins the Central Arkansas Bears. Kayla Lucas is the Head Coach. Key returning players include Addie Graham, Bailie Runner, Lilly Hood, and kaitlyn Graham.What: Jackson’s hiring signifies a commitment to program development and success. He brings a proven track record of building winning teams, developing talented outfielders, and prioritizing academic achievement.
How did it end?: The article concludes by highlighting the existing talent on the Bears squad, setting the stage for Jackson and Lucas to collaborate and build upon a strong foundation. The article doesn’t detail a specific ending, but implies a beginning of a new era for the program.
