Coach Sonny Jackson Left Mark on Central

 Former Central High football coach, baseball coach, and athletic director William “Sonny” Jackson passed away Saturday, July 10, 2021, after a long bout with cancer.

After coaching at Central High in the mid-1970’s, Coach Jackson went on to coach at the college level and was the winningest coach in the history of Nicholls State, his alma mater.

The celebrated coach was inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame.  

Far more important than his won-loss record was his impact on the lives of thousands of young men. City of Central founder Russell Starns said, “He was a very special man, a mentor for me, and I owe much of my success to him. He taught me so much more than just athletics.”

Sen. Bodi White also credits much of his success to Jackson. Today, some in Central may remember that Sen. White was an All-District and All-State player at Central High, as well as being Captain of the team. What few know was that Bodi White only played football one year.

“I had gone out for football but quit. I just wasn’t interested.  Coach Jackson came and talked to me and inspired me.  He became like a dad. He taught me leadership and how to be a man.  I owe so much to him!”

Sen. White said he, Russell Starns, and Steve Ensminger recently visited Coach Jackson. “We were close friends until his death,” he said.

Steve Ensminger was a star quarterback at Central High under Coach Jackson.  He later starred at LSU and had a celebrated career in coaching.  He retired from LSU where he was offensive coordinator. One of his success stories was Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow.

Starns recalled the countless young men reached by Jackson, including many still active in Central today.  They include Jon Simmons,  the Cothern brothers who own Cothern Tires, Brent Carpenter who owns a business on Hooper, Keith Kepper of Design Fab, and many others.  Some have gone to top positions outside Central, such as Mike Morain at Turner Industries and Mark Wilson at Dow.

SONNY JACKSON

William “Sonny” Jackson, also known as “Coach” by many and “Poppa” and “Chief” by his grandkids, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the age of 82. Sonny was a successful coach, both on and off the field. 

If you were to ask players and coaches who were part of his programs, you would hear more about what he taught them about life than about football. Sonny had a beautiful ability to bring out the best in people. 

His life went from a home with a single mom to a home filled with lots of family and love. He was a man who picked up many hobbies from surf fishing in Grand Isle to refurbishing furniture and he also thought he was pretty good at boiling crawfish. 

If there was one thing that truly defined him, it would be the motto he truly believed in “tough times don’t last, tough people do.” He overcame a lot in life through hard work and dedication. Sonny was born in Texarkana, TX on September 24, 1938, the only child of Ida Lee Opal Hudgins – a women whom he admired and cherished his whole life. 

Sonny graduated from Texas High School in Texarkana, TX. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. 

After leaving the Marine Corps, Sonny attended Nicholls State University where he was a member of the baseball team. He held a couple of records after his career was over that have since have been broken. After graduating from Nicholls, he worked in the medical field in Little Rock, AR before getting into coaching. 

His first job in coaching was at St. Joseph Benedictine High School in Chauvin, LA. He served as Head Football Coach, Assistant Football Coach, Head Baseball, Athletic Director and Principal. His teams won many district championships and competed deep into the state playoffs every year. 

His next step was at Central High School, where he served as Head Football, Head and Assistant Baseball Coach and Athletic Director. Again, his teams won many District Championships and competed in state playoffs for several years. 

He was inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame in the year 2000. During both of his high schools stints, he was honored with numerous “District Coach of the Year” honors. 

Coach was one of the founding members of the Louisiana Athletic Director’s Association. He was honored as a distinguished member in 2000. 

Sonny made the jump to college football by accepting an assistant football position at Northeast Louisiana University (ULM) under John David Crow in the 1979 and 1980 seasons. 

In 1980, he accepted the head football coaching position at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA. While there, he compiled a record of 39-28-1. Sonny remains the winningest football coach in Nicholls history. His teams captured a Gulf Star Conference Championship in 1984 and his 1986 team went 10-3, and then advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1-AA playoffs. 

Sonny was honored with the Louisiana Sports Writers Coach of the Year Award in 1986. He coached multiple All-Americans and NFL players there. He was inducted in the Nicholls State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. 

In 1987, Sonny accepted the head coaching position at McNeese State University through the 1989 season. His overall college coaching record is 52-48-1. 

He retired from coaching in Louisiana 1990, and then took the Athletic Director Position at Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Richmond/Rosenberg, TX. During his time there, he helped establish an exceptional athletic program that was filled with outstanding coaches, many who were former players of his. 

After retiring in Texas, he started a letterman jacket and bleacher business called Jackson Bayou Boys. 

After this successful run in business, he retired in 2018. Sonny will be missed by his loving wife of 10 years, Sandy Daughtry Jackson; her sons, Chad (Tonya) Pousson of Lake Charles and Scott (Jessica) Pousson of Lake Charles; eight grandchildren, Brittany (Chance), Devaney, Brooke, Morgan, Kade, Kennedy, Sydney, and Collin; three great-grandchildren, Braxtyn, Elynne, and Clarke. 

Sandy’s dedication to Sonny’s wellbeing during his battle with cancer over the last four years was amazing. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 48 years, Barbara Ann Dugas Jackson; his mother, Ida Lee Opal Hudgins; and his canine companion, Starr. 

He is also survived by his son, Hud (Patricia) of Monticello, AR; his grandchildren, Alexis (William) Alberson of Little Rock, AR, William Jackson III of Little Rock, AR, and Baleigh Jackson of Monticello, AR; three daughters, Sherri (Mike) Dugan and her children Mason (Shelby) Thompson, and his child Shepard, and Brannon Thompson; Angele (Clint) Conque, and her children, Chasse (Lisa) Conque, and his children Julianna, Sydney, and Adeline; Benton (Morgan) Conque, and his daughter Scarlett; Zachary (McKenzie) Conque; and daughter, Sunny Raye (Troy) Bourgeois, and her son Brogan. He will also be missed by his brother, Norman Jackson of Bullard, TX. 

Although Sonny’s time on earth has ended, his spirit and legacy will remain in the hearts of all those who love him. 

Visitation will be held at Thibodaux Funeral Home on Sunday, July 18, 2021 from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitation will resume at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral on Monday, July 19, 2021 at 10 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be all of his fellow coaches who worked with Sonny throughout his coaching years. 

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. David Hanson, Malorie Erwin, Above and Beyond Sitters, and Pinnacle Hospice for their care and compassion for Sonny. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge. 

“Believe in yourself so you can make people around you feel good about themselves” — Sonny Jackson. 

Online condolences can be given at www.thibodauxfuneralhome.com. Thibodaux Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.