HEADLAND, Ala. — Sammy Jackson, a former Headland High School basketball star and assistant coach at the University of Alabama, was found dead in Atlanta following a mysterious disappearance, authorities reported. Jackson, who went missing on January 27, was discovered by investigators on Wednesday.
According to WGXA in Macon, Georgia, Jackson’s car was found abandoned on Monday in Bonaire, Georgia, several days before his body was located. Deputies reported that the vehicle, a BMW, was left unlocked, with personal items scattered across the seat and floor. His wife, Jill Jackson, told the station that she last spoke to her husband on Sunday afternoon. However, she received a concerning text message from his phone around 2:00 a.m. Monday, asking her for his Social Security number.
Jackson’s disappearance and the strange circumstances surrounding it have left both family and friends searching for answers. The former basketball player and coach had an impressive career, which began at Headland High School, where he earned All-State honors in 1982. He later went on to coach basketball at several universities, including Savannah State University, Alabama A&M, Fort Valley State University, and most recently, the University of Alabama, where he served as an assistant coach.
In 2020 and 2021, Jackson also returned to his roots, coaching at his alma mater, Headland High School. His impact on the basketball community, both as a player and a coach, is remembered fondly by those who knew him.
As of now, investigators have not released further details on the cause of death or any potential leads in the case. The community and his family continue to mourn his loss, hoping for clarity as the investigation unfolds.
