Despite sitting atop the SWAC West standings and being one of two teams without a loss in the conference, Tremaine Jackson expects more.
Jackson doesn’t want to hear about the success of individuals or the good statistics for the Panthers at this point in the season.
On Monday, Jackson was asked by a reporter to explain what has contributed to a Prairie View defense that ranks No. 1 in the SWAC for pass defense and defensive efficiency. His answer turned into a referendum about how far away — still — the team is from where he wants it to be.
“We got lucky a few times,” Jackson said about the defense tallying five interceptions. “I tell our kids all the time, all these numbers and things going on right now, they don’t matter. You’re chasing a championship. Nothing matters until the end of the season.”
While statistics show elite performance for the 3-0 (SWAC) Panthers, the coach’s message to his players emphasizes culture, consistency, and accountability.
“What we see as coaches is how the numbers should be lower — the interceptions we dropped, the blown techniques, the plays we let get away,” Jackson said. “It’s not good enough. We’re here to change the culture.”
Rejecting the notion of early praise, he drew a clear line between good and elite. Jackson’s response was not entirely surprising. During his introductory press conference after being named Panthers coach, he proclaimed the goal for the program was to be one of the best in the FCS, not just the SWAC.
“When you start giving people too much credit too early, we don’t handle that well as people — not just as players,” Jackson continued. “A loser would say, ‘You’ve only been here 10 months, give yourself leeway.’ That’s losing to me. We didn’t come here to do that. We came here to be elite.”
As he concluded, Jackson left a pointed reminder: everyone, regardless of their statistical ranking, still has more to prove.
“So I appreciate you pointing out that number,” he said, “but just so our DBs can hear it if they listen on YouTube tomorrow — we’re not good enough.”