MARBLEHEAD — Bob Jackson, whose 12-year career as head coach for Marblehead boys hockey culminated in a Division 3 state hockey championship in 2011, is stepping down.
Athletic director Gregory Ceglarski confirmed Monday that Jackson would be retiring as coach. Ceglarski said he did not yet know whether Jackson would stay on as golf coach. Jackson said he hopes to stay on for another year.
As for hockey, “thought it was time to move on,” he said. “I have some things going on in my life that I need to focus on a little bit. I’m getting up there in age. It’s time for someone a little younger to come in and give the guys some new blood.”
In all, Jackson spent 16 years in Marblehead, the first four as an assistant for Tom Colby.
“Bob has an outstanding record as head coach,” said Ceglarski, who became the school’s athletic director at the beginning of the school year. “The past 16 years he has influenced and impacted countless players, brought conference and state titles back to our community and has assisted moving numerous players to the next level.”
Marblehead entered the 2011 tournament seeded second in Division 2 North. The Magicians sailed through the sectionals, defeating No. 1 Shawsheen in the North final, 6-2.
Unlike Divisions 1 and 2 in hockey, Division 3 requires a state state semifinal game against a team from the south section, and in that game, Marblehead eked out a 3-2 win over Pembroke. The following Sunday, at the TD Garden, the Magicians took care of the title by defeating Westfield, 6-3.
“Looking back,” said Jackson, “the thrill of a state championship was something that we set our goals toward. Everyone on that team worked so extremely hard in the offseason to get where they were.
“But the night we were invited to Fenway Park to play Winthrop, that was a thrill,” he said. “Most of the kids who were on that state championship team played in that game.”
Jackson said he was also proud that even after his team was moved up to Division 2, it still remained very competitive.
“We may not have always been successful,” he said, “but we’d play any team in the state.”
“Marblehead athletics thanks Bob for his efforts, dedication, and passion he brought to his alma mater,” Ceglarski said. “As a MHS Hall of Famer, we appreciate Bob dedicating so many years to the program that he once played for.”
