Jackson resigns as PSGA baseball coach

Mark Jackson resigned as baseball coach at Penn State Greater Allegheny after just one season with the Lions to coach at Montgomery County Community College in suburban Philadelphia.

Jackson said Monday he made the move primarily because he could not simultaneously maintain homes at both ends of Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia-area native owns a house in Wynnewood, Montgomery County, and was renting in Pittsburgh.

Assistant coach Jeff Wilds has taken over as interim coach at PSGA until a permanent replacement is found for Jackson.

“It was really difficult to maintain a home in Wynnewood and rent a townhouse in Pittsburgh and coach there and do all of that and be able to make it work financially,” Jackson said. “It's a great situation going to Montgomery County Community College because it's 30 minutes from where I live.”

Jackson, a former coach at Pitt and Point Park, led PSGA to a 32-9 record in 2014, losing to Apprentice in the United States Collegiate Athletic Conference semifinals.

“Greater Allegheny was a great place to work,” Jackson said. “In 23 years of coaching, Korie Morton-Rozier is the best athletic director I've worked for as far as support goes.

“I really enjoyed working with her and working with the great group of kids we had. I'm definitely going to miss the school, and I wish the players continued success.”

At Montgomery County CC, Jackson succeeds longtime coach Lou Lombardo.

Dave Mackall is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at dmackall@tribweb.com.