Bio

Jackson Millander is entering his second season as the head coach of the cross country team at Gadsden State Community College. He is the program’s second head coach since the team’s reinstatement in 2022

The Gadsden State Cross Country Program has seen a tremendous amount of success during Millander’s tenure. Both the men's and the women's teams have consistently been ranked among the Top 25 teams in the nation at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II level. Since the program has been revived, both teams have qualified for and competed at the NJCAA National Championship Meet. 

In his first season as head coach, Coach Millander lead the Gadsden State Cross Country Program to new heights. Several records were broken including the Gadsden State Men's 8K record which was set by Ryan Matthews. The Gadsden State Women's team soared to a program high 12th overall national ranking. The Men's Cross Country also recived national recognition acheiving the rank of 24th in the nation. The Cardnials also excelled in this classroom during Coach Millander’s first season. For the first time in school history, both the men’s and women’s cross country teams were named NJCAA All-Academic Teams. 

A native of Hokes Bluff, Millander has been part of the GSCC cross country coaching staff since May 2022. While still completing his undergraduate studies at Jacksonville State University, he began serving as an assistant coach with then-head coach Roseanne Green. In this role, Millander assisted in the creation of summer and in-season training plans, oversaw strength and conditioning, spearheaded recruiting efforts, handled travel logistics and organized fundraising events.

During his time as assistant coach at Gadsden State, Millander was also a student manager for JSU’s women’s basketball team, eventually rising to the rank of head manager within the staff of Head Coach Rick Pietri. This position saw him assist in the day-to-day operations of a successful Division I women’s basketball program.

Millander attended Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa where he was also a head manager for Coach Madonna Thompson’s Alabama Community College Conference powerhouse. He aided in the day-to-day operations but also earned extensive experience in operations and event management. 

Millander earned an Associate of Science from Shelton State in May 2022 and Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Jacksonville State University in December 2024. He currently resides in Jacksonville.