Donnie Jackson leaves NOC, accepts position at Cowley College

Northern Oklahoma College Men’s Basketball Coach Donnie Jackson resigned today accepting the same position at Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kansas.

Jackson, who just completed his 8^th year at NOC served as an assistant four years at Cowley before coming to NOC in the 2013-14 season.

Jackson’s teams were 183-69 in eight seasons and earned two trips to the NJCAA National Tournament.  This past season, the Mavs won the OCAC Title and the Region 2 Tournament.  They lost to eventual NJCAA National Champion Coffeyville (KS) in the Elite Eight.

“NOC and the Tonkawa community will always have a very special place in my heart,” Jackson said. “I’m very appreciative of Dr. Evans giving me my first opportunity to be a head coach. I have developed many lifelong relationships with so many people. Words cannot express what everyone means to me.”

“The last eight years of my life has been impacted by the family-oriented culture that NOC cultivates,” he added.  “It has been one heck of a run, and I’m very proud to have brought some great kids to Northern to experience the same culture that I have. There are many special shout-outs I’d like to give, but if I did that, I’d mention just about everyone. Thank you for allowing me to be your basketball coach. Once a Mav, always a Mav.”

NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans said she is appreciative of what Jackson brought to NOC.

“Donnie built a successful program at NOC,” she said.  “I appreciate the past eight years that he invested in our players helping them succeed in their academic pursuit of a college degree in addition to a winning tradition on the court.   Donnie is a great coach and will be missed by the Mavericks and their fans.”

Dr. Evans sentiments were echoed by athletic director Alan Foster.

“Donnie will be missed at NOC,” Foster said.  “He has done a fantastic job his entire career but definitely highlighted by the last cumulating with National Tournament berths.  Cowley is getting a good coach but a great person who will be an asset to their institution.  I wish Donnie all the best and am grateful to have got to work with him.  I am excited for him and his future.”

Cowley College has made back-to-back appearances in the NJCAA Tournament reaching the finals in 2021.

Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services which create life-changing experiences and develop students as effective learners and leaders within their communities in a connected, ever changing world.

NOC, a public two-year community college, serves nearly 5,000 students on the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater, online, and the University Center in Ponca City. Of these students about 60% receive financial aid and/or scholarships.  Over 80% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.

NOC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science.  The associate degree fulfills lower-division course work which is applicable towards a bachelor’s degree.

Call (580) 628-6200 for more information about Northern Oklahoma College or visit www.noc.edu .