The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.
Since 1888
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.

BREAKING: Dan Jackson to “step back” from football program while situation is reviewed

Jackson recently supported Ye via Facebook, who has made various antisemitic and otherwise discriminatory comments through the media.
Vanderbilt+announced+that+defensive+backs+coach+Dan+Jackson+will+step+back+from+the+program+for+the+time+being.+%28Hustler+Multimedia%2FEmily+Goncalves%29
Emily Gonçalves
Vanderbilt announced that defensive backs coach Dan Jackson will step back from the program for the time being. (Hustler Multimedia/Emily Goncalves)

Defensive backs coach Dan Jackson will “step back” from the football program according to a press release from athletic director Candice Lee on Monday night. Joe Rexrode of The Athletic first reported the news via Twitter. The news comes three days after a social media post surfaced in which Jackson supported Ye’s recent comment. The Hustler confirmed the update with a team spokesperson.

Lee said an internal investigation into Jackson’s comments began “immediately over the weekend.”

“It is important the university follow its standard process and conduct a thorough review of the complexities of this incident,” Lee’s statement reads. “Coach Jackson and I have agreed that he will step back from his responsibilities with the team during the Equal Opportunity and Access office’s review.”

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier also released a statement on Monday night. In an email titled “Addressing recent concerns related to staff social media post,” Diermeier reiterated that the university condemns discrimination and that instances of such will “not be tolerated.”

“While individual views expressed by faculty, staff or students do not represent the university, we are concerned by the allegations,” Diermeier said. “Vanderbilt has a thorough process for addressing reports of discrimination through Equal Opportunity and Access, and that review is underway.”

Jackson coached on the sideline during the team’s loss to South Carolina despite the Facebook post surfacing on Friday night. Lea declined to give details as to why that decision was made, but expressed disappointment in Jackson’s actions.  The Hustler reported that some Jewish student-workers did not work the game despite typically working every home game.

“I sat down with Dan as soon as I caught wind of this, and as he expressed in his statement, he was embarrassed and apologetic in that meeting,” head football coach Clark Lea said after the South Carolina loss. “He feels awful about it. Obviously, as a program, we value diversity in all forms. That’s evidenced in our staff and the makeup of our team.

In a Nov. 4 statement posted on Twitter at 8:55 p.m. CDT, Jackson apologized for his comments and said he took “full responsibility.” Lee and Lea also released a joint statement condemning antisemitism and discrimination.

“Kanye is two steps ahead of everyone,” Jackson’s original comment read. “He’s not crazy. People try to silence him because he thinks for himself. People don’t want that. Rappers and athletes are taught they need to think the same as the media/politicians. If they have an opinion that is opposite the mainstream, they’re called crazy. More people need to wake up and speak their mind.”

Ye has come under fire recently for making numerous antisemitic and otherwise discriminatory comments including questioning George Floyd’s manner of death and saying, in a since-removed tweet, that “When I wake up, I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.”

This report will be updated.

View comments (2)
About the Contributors
Bryce Smith
Bryce Smith, Former Sports Editor
Bryce Smith ('23) is majoring in human and organizational development in Peabody College with a minor in business. Bryce previously wrote for SBNation before joining The Hustler. Hailing from Chicago, Bryce is a die-hard Bears and Cubs fan who is also hoping that the Bulls and Blackhawks may one day rekindle their dominance. He can be reached at [email protected].    
Emily Gonçalves
Emily Gonçalves, Former Multimedia Director
Emily Gonçalves (‘20) was the Multimedia Director of the Vanderbilt Hustler. She majored in Mathematics and Economics and minored in Latin American Studies. When she’s not taking photos, you can catch this Jersey girl making puns, singing, advocating for girls’ education and drinking lots of chocolate milk and espresso!
More to Discover

Comments (2)

The Vanderbilt Hustler welcomes and encourages readers to engage with content and express opinions through the comment sections on our website and social media platforms. The Hustler reserves the right to remove comments that contain vulgarity, hate speech, personal attacks or that appear to be spam, commercial promotion or impersonation. The comment sections are moderated by our Editor-in-Chief, Rachael Perrotta, and our Social Media Director, Chloe Postlewaite. You can reach them at [email protected] and [email protected].
All The Vanderbilt Hustler picks Reader picks Sort: Newest
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
A
Anonymous
1 year ago

He’s a grown man tasked with leading young adults. His judgement is slightly worse than my dog (and she’s not that bright), he’s objectively not a good coach, and he presumably still holds the vile and dangerous beliefs that were posted on Facebook – it just so happens he got caught.

Jewish students would reasonably feel uncomfortable around this imbecile, but he was given the benefit of the doubt and allowed to coach. And he’s still getting paid.

Weak weak weak, Vandy. This will be costly for your reputation and your alumni fund.

J
Jewish Student
1 year ago

“Allegations”??? It’s written on the internet for anyone and everyone to see. It is not an allegation, it is a fact. Why does it take national news to get the university to condemn antisemitism? Why did they not do it after VSG expressed support for Palestine after launching 4500+ rockets into Israel in May 2021? Why did the school not say anything after pro-Palestine students chanted “from the river to the sea”? This is ridiculous and enough. Vanderbilt must adopt IHRA, they must fire Dan Jackson, they must support their Jewish students, and they must be there for every sing student. Enough is enough. Why is this too much to ask?