Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Naron Jackson walked away from Obama Academy on top. After six seasons, a City League title, and a run to the PIAA Class 4A state championship game, the coach decided it was time to go.
Jackson’s played at Schenley High School in the late 1990s before going on to Robert Morris University. He took over Obama in 2020 and built the program steadily, finishing with a 65-57 overall record. This past season, his Eagles went 20-10, claimed the City League crown, and became the first City League team in a decade to reach a state title game, falling to Devon Prep in the final.
Jackson wasn’t the only veteran coach to step away. Carey White resigned after 24 seasons leading City League programs, having coached Oliver from 2002 to 2012 and Brashear from 2012 through this past season. He guided both programs to three City League title game appearances each.