BELLINGHAM - On the brink of achieving 500 career wins, it would be common-place for a coach to bask in individual accomplishments and rekindle each personal move made in order to capture such an extraordinary coaching milestone.
But Western Washington University men's basketball coach Brad Jackson prefers to focus on all the working parts that enabled him to be where he is in his 38 years of coaching basketball and 27 years coaching with WWU.
Jackson has the opportunity to become the fifth collegiate basketball coach in the state of Washington, man or women, to reach the 500 win plateau when the Vikings host Saint Martin's University at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at Carver Gym.
"The biggest thing about the (500) wins is the pause for reflection," Jackson said. "With all the players - and I've had a lot of great players and coaches - I'm just so thankful to be able to do what I've been able to do for so long. One of the most rewarding things is having the opportunity to bring people together, not just players but the community. We've had guys who've gone on to law school or have become dentists because of the contacts they've made playing (Western) basketball. ... The basketball part is awesome, but getting the calls from guys who played 20 years ago, that's what's most rewarding."
Throughout Jackson's 27 years at the helm of WWU men's basketball, he has accomplished plenty. Besides being the longest tenured coach in any sport at WWU, Jackson owns a record of 499-276, which makes him the winningest men's basketball coach in program history. Jackson has made 19 postseason appearances and has directed his Vikings to 11 20-win seasons. He reached the NCAA Division II National semifinals in 2001 and made Division II National Tournament appearances in 2001, 2005, 2006 and in 2009.
With the amount of turnover seen in collegiate sports, it's a bit of a rarity for a coach to stay with a program for so long, especially with the success Jackson has brought to Western.
WWU Athletic Director Lynda Goodrich said Jackson has received offers to coach elsewhere, but Jackson said it's the chance to teach players, the strong working relationship with Goodrich and the ability to use Western's stellar resources as recruiting tools that have kept him patrolling the halls of Carver for nearly three decades.
"There are a lot of things that have gone into (my loyalty to Western)." Jackson said. "Me and Lynda have been together almost all these years and that's a long-term relationship. It's a very good school, not only with basketball but with what this institute has to offer. And obviously recruiting plays a big part in that. My interest has always been teaching and this job has offered me with a lot of flexibility in that."
Goodrich said not only has Jackson been instrumental in the development of the men's basketball program, but she also said that Jackson has played a major role in helping shape Western athletics as a whole.
"Well, Brad and I are really close," Goodrich said in a phone interview. "I lean on him for a lot of ideas and suggestions, and I really respect his opinions on things. I don't think we'd be the program - the total program, not just basketball - without him."
In Goodrich's opinion, the success Jackson has enjoyed has come from both his knowledge of the game and his ability to create strong working relationships with his players, coaches and the Western community as a whole.
"Brad has tremendous knowledge of the game and is (a tactician)," Goodrich said in a phone interview. "He does a great job recruiting, but he really cares about his athletes, too. He develops them as young men, not just basketball players."
Besides using the ability to coach as a vehicle to teach young men, Jackson said he believes basketball should be fun. And Jackson tries to extend that mentality to the way he structures the identity of his team.
"I remember (Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski) said one time that coaches should recruit players that they enjoy being around, and I think there's a lot of truth to that. I try to create an atmosphere where players want to be there. It's not fooling around, but it's a very positive atmosphere. I like basketball when it's fast. Players like playing that way, and I think that's what people like to watch. I feel like we're never out of games because of that and we never have one guy that scores a ton."
Former WWU basketball standout Derrick Webb knows' Jackson's fast-paced, get-everybody-involved style of play as well as anyone.
Webb, who now coaches at Highline Community College and plays basketball for the Bellingham Slam, played for Jackson for three years through 2007-10.
"He's a player coach," said Webb in a phone interview. "I think he's stern when he needs to be and calm and comfortable when you need him to be. He let's you be (more free) out there. You aren't just in this system, he let's us play basketball. He let's us go out there and play as a team and goes with it. He's free wheeling in that aspect of coaching."
Webb also agreed with Goodrich in fact that Jackson makes strong investments in his players.
"I definitely thought our relationship was good," Webb said. "I would go in and talk to him about stuff with me personally or basketball wise. He had an open door policy and to this day we have a pretty good relationship. (500 wins) is a big goal for a coach wherever you are. That's a lot of wins and that means you've been very successful. For him, it's a big achievement, and I'm glad it's happening to him. He's such a good coach."
When Jackson does pick up win No. 500 - against Saint Martin's or later in the season - he will be joining some illustrious basketball company.
The four previous coaches to reach the 500 win mark are Marv Harshman (637 wins), who served as a mentor for Jackson and coached at Pacific Lutheran University, Washington State University and the University of Washington, Dean Nicholson (620), who coached at Central Washington University, Hec Edmundson (508), who coached at the University of Washington and Leo Nicholson (505), who coached at Central Washington University.
"Honestly, I think of those guys, and it's quite an honor," Jackson said. "To be mentioned in the same breath of Marv is a blessing to me. Part of it has been my longevity, but it's not all abut me. There's been a lot of other folks and players. I didn't do it myself. But, its good for the community, and I think it's something the university can be proud of."
Reach Andrew Lang at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-756-2862.
