Texas A&M strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark believes his graduate assistant, Larry Jackson, has the discipline, knowledge, people skills and personality to thrive in the fitness profession. Of course, Jackson’s sculpted, chiseled physique won’t hurt his chances of success, either.

"His future is extremely bright," Clark said of Jackson, the former A&M linebacker and defensive end. "He has a great rapport with the athletes…. And take a look at him. He has lost some weight on purpose since ending his professional football career, but he still looks like he could go out there and dominate for us right now."

Indeed, he does. The muscular, toned Jackson obviously practices what he preaches, which, particularly in this profession, carries more weight with student-athletes than a menacing nickname and expanding mid-section. At least outside of Austin.

Jackson, a three-year starter on some great A&M defenses, is more of a mild-mannered machine than a mad dog. And his impressive physique, engaging personality and sincere approach have made him a hit with A&M athletes since he returned to College Station last October.

He is young, articulate, professional, and he obviously knows what he is talking about.

"I’m not too far detached from where (the athletes) are now," said Jackson, who lettered at A&M from 1991-94." I don’t ask them to do anything that I couldn’t do myself and that I haven’t already done. They know I’ve been where they are and that I’ve been where they are trying to go."

Most recently, Jackson has crisscrossed the country and circled the globe in pursuit of a professional football career. After helping the Aggies compile a 42-2-1 regular-season record in his four-year collegiate career, Jackson played with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins of the NFL from 1995-97. He also played one season with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe in 1998.

While he enjoyed playing professional football, Jackson says he knew when it was time to hang up the cleats and pull out the books. So, he returned to A&M last fall to finish his degree.

Nearly a decade after he first enrolled at A&M in the fall of 1990, Jackson walked across the stage to pick up his diploma last summer. It was a day he says he will never forget.

"Getting to play in the NFL, that was a big honor for me," Jackson said. "But the biggest accomplishment is to have that degree from A&M. It feels so good to finally have that. No one can ever take that away from me. Now, after getting my degree, I don’t just want to stop with a B.S. I want to try to get into a Master’s program in education administration."

When Jackson and his wife, Amy, returned to A&M, he went to visit with Clark. During his playing days, Jackson had practically lived in the weight room and he was now entertaining thoughts of making a living in the same building. His timing was perfect.

"It really was great timing," Jackson said. "You have people that leave every semester, and I showed up at the right time. When I played here, I enjoyed going through the offseason program, and Coach Clark made it fun. I liked the way he worked with us. So, along with my wife, I decided that strength training is something I would really like to pursue in terms of a career. It’s been very rewarding, and I love working with the kids. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is what I want to do."

And there’s no doubt in Clark’s mind that Jackson has a bright future ahead of him.

"Right now, he’s training the soccer team by himself, which is an adjustment for a football player of his type," Clark said. "He’s also demonstrated that he is outstanding for our football players and all of our athletes. He’s easy going enough that he can develop a good relationship with them, but yet, he’s also very demanding. That’s a great combination. We’re very fortunate to have him."

Jackson’s own diligent work in the weight room helped him make the transition from linebacker to defensive end while at A&M. Now, he says he wants to help A&M make the transition from Top 25 mainstay to national power.