Inside Corey Dickerson's decision to take Jackson Academy's baseball coaching job and his plan

When Jackson Academy athletic director Brandt Walker first offered former MLB player Corey Dickerson its baseball coaching position, he declined the offer.

Coaching wasn't on Dickerson's radar other than volunteering part-time as he did at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. He saw himself possibly coaching his kids when they got older in the far future.

"I wasn't in the market at all to the coach — not at this point," Dickerson said at a press conference on Monday at Raider Park. "Maybe help out like I did at MRA last year."

However, a second call from Walker made Dickerson look into the role more wholeheartedly and gave him a second opportunity to think about it. A decision was made, and Dickerson was hired as Jackson Academy's next baseball coach on June 10.

Dickerson replaced former Jackson Academy coach Parker Harris, who led the Raiders since 2019 and had a combined record of 66-80.

"I think with his knowledge of the game and his excitement that he's brought through the interview process, and with the assistant coaches that he's brought, they're all so excited to be a part of this," Walker said.

So why did Dickerson take the chance soon after his 11-year Major League Baseball career in 2023? It sprung from the comfortability of other coaches on staff, the flexibility Jackson Academy made with him, and how he could be impactful by using his baseball experience to help others.

"I think always feeling the purpose to do something, a purpose to make something better," Dickerson said. "Whenever you can wake up and imagine things that make you excited for the day. I think just always having that and still having that now after getting offered that job kind of led me more to it being the right thing to do."

Dickerson, 35, said it's a chance to use his baseball knowledge and experience to help players who run through the Raider program and hopefully turn his first head coaching position into a successful one.

"I think just being a good role model is not just for the kids but for your coaching staff, the school, and your family," Dickerson said. "You're in charge of a role that can impact a lot of people."

The Colorado Rockies drafted Dickerson in the eighth round in 2010. He made his debut with the Rockies on June 22, 2013. In his MLB career from 2013-23, the outfielder had a batting average of .280 with 136 home runs and 469 RBIs, including an All-Star selection in 2017 and a Gold Glove award in 2018.

What is Corey Dickerson's plan for Jackson Academy baseball

There's no secret about the elephant in the room with MAIS Class 6A baseball: Jackson Prep has won seven consecutive championships and 23 total state titles. Jackson Academy has not won a state baseball title since 2011.

Dickerson knows the flip won't happen overnight, but he knows the type of players that run through Jackson Academy and the success that runs through other sports, with the Raiders winning two boys basketball titles in 2024. He sees it transitioning to Raider Park.

MORE JACKSON ACADEMY: Jackson Academy boys basketball defeats Jackson Prep for MAIS Class 6A state championship

"I think they just have, you know, a great student body," he said. "They have a great staff and great people around, and that's what makes a good team, which is usually the staff and the players. It's not necessarily anything more than that. A culture and we look forward to creating that here in the baseball program."

Dickerson, a McComb native, played baseball at Brookhaven Academy and knew the type of program Jackson Academy was when he played against the Raiders in high school.

"I always remember how good they (Jackson Academy) were in basketball and things like that," Dickerson said, "and we have to do that with baseball."

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Corey Dickerson took Jackson Academy's baseball coaching job