By Nick Gordon, Leatherneck Athletic Communications 

MACOMB, IL- Leatherneck football has announced the hiring and promotion of 5 staff members prior to the start of spring football, welcoming Jackson King as running backs coach/director of player development, Austin Taylor as defensive line coach, Grace Horton as the director of football operations, Jake Ackman as offensive graduate assistant/assistant quarterbacks coach, and Chris Irvin as offensive graduate assistant/assistant offensive line coach.

Jackson King - Running Backs Coach/Director of Player Development
King joins the Leathernecks as the program's running backs coach, returning to the offensive side of the ball after spending the 2025 season working with the linebackers. King previously coached alongside Coach Davis at Eastern Illinois, assisting with wide receivers.

Prior to Eastern Illinois, King served as offensive coordinator, offensive line and tight ends coach at Trinity International University, where the Trojans recorded their highest win total in five seasons while averaging 274.8 passing yards per game. He also coached running backs and wide receivers at Culver-Stockton College in 2018 and 2019, where offensive lineman Andrew Rupcich earned the Piesman Trophy as the nation's top lineman in 2019.

King began his coaching career at St. Viator High School in 2016 as the offensive line and tight ends coach, mentoring future second-round NFL Draft pick Cole Kmet and helping guide the Lions to the second round of the IHSA playoffs. As a player, King competed on the offensive line at St. Xavier University, winning two MSFA Conference Championships and the 2011 NAIA National Championship. A native of Tinley Park, Illinois, he prepped at Providence Catholic High School, where the Celtics advanced to the 2009 Illinois state championship game.

King holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Xavier and has worked in Pediatric Intensive Care throughout his coaching career.

Austin Taylor - Defensive Line Coach
Taylor was hired as the program's defensive line coach after a successful tenure at Indiana Wesleyan University. Taylor most recently served as the Wildcats' defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, overseeing one of the NAIA's top defensive units.

In 2024, Taylor's defense set 13 program records, ranked second nationally in defensive touchdowns (six), fifth in sacks (40), and fourth in points allowed per game (11.7). His unit also produced two NAIA All-Americans and the MSFA Defensive Player of the Year, while placing nine players on the MSFA All-Conference team.

Taylor previously served as co-defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Indiana Wesleyan, following stints at Butler University (tight ends), DePauw University (defensive line), and multiple Indiana high school programs including Zionsville, Hamilton Southeastern and Pike High School. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Taylor attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School.

Grace Horton - Director of Football Operations
Horton joins the Leathernecks as director of football operations after gaining extensive experience at the NCAA Division I level. Horton recently worked with Yale University football as an intern with the Bulldogs' operations and recruiting staffs, assisting with film analysis, prospect evaluation, practice logistics, and gameday technology including CoachComms, DVSport and GameStrat.

Horton also served as a recruiter and football operations student manager at Sacred Heart University, where she helped identify and sign more than 30 student-athletes over a three-year span. Her responsibilities included film evaluation, managing prospect databases, coordinating official visits, and supporting gameday operations.

A lifelong athlete and sports management major, Horton received her bachelors from Sacred Heart University. 

Jake Ackman - Offensive Graduate Assistant/Assistant Quarterbacks Coach
Jake Ackman has been promoted to offensive graduate assistant after previously serving as an offensive assistant with the program. Ackman played quarterback at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where he was a four-year contributor and team captain, while also adding experience on special teams during his junior season. He transitioned into an offensive analyst role, gaining valuable experience on the coaching side of the game. Ackman also brings a championship background, having won a state title in high school under Head Coach Krecz, further strengthening his connection to the program's offensive philosophy.

Chris Irvin - Offensive Graduate Assistant/Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Chris Irvin joins the staff as an offensive graduate assistant after completing his playing career with the Leathernecks, competing for Western Illinois during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Irvin began his collegiate career at Washington State in 2021 and 2022 before transferring to Ventura College (Calif.) for the 2023 season. This marks his first year in coaching, as he transitions from player to staff member, bringing firsthand knowledge of the program and offensive system into his new role.

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