Laura Jackson returns for her fourth season with the Vandals, hoping to continue Idaho's development as one of the best teams in the Big Sky Conference.
The Vandals experienced the largest turnaround in the nation in 2015, improving their win total by 10 games. Idaho ran through the Big Sky, winning more games than had ever been done in league play and finishing the season unbeaten at 9-0-1.
Idaho was tremendous on both sides of the ball, finishing the conference season with the most goals scored and fewest goals allowed. The squad set program records for goals, assists, points and shutouts. In all, eight Vandals earned All-Big Sky accolades, including five first-teamers.
The assistant coach was recognized in the offseason, gaining acceptance into the prestigious NSCAA 30 Under 30 program.  The program recognizes the top young coaches in the country, both male and female, selecting a total of 30 members each year.
Jackson worked primarily with goalkeepers in her first season before switching to field players in 2014.
Four Vandals earned All-Big Sky accolades under Jackson’s guidance in 2014, including a pair of freshmen that made an immediate impact on the program.  The four all-conference honors tied the program record at the time.
In May of 2015 Jackson earned her master’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Idaho and is currently working toward her PhD in Sports Psychology. Prior to Idaho, Jackson earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Iona College. In May, 2013 and worked with the Iona coaching staff in the spring of 2013 after exhausting her eligibility in the fall of 2012. She has also served as assistant coach in training for the Region I Olympic Development Program.
Jackson holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma, a USSF D coaching license and the FA GK Level 1 diploma.
In two seasons with the Gaels, Jackson earned back-to-back All-MAAC selections, was named to the all-tournament team as a senior in 2012 and was voted a team captain. Jackson began her collegiate career at Syracuse, starting 18-of-19 games as a freshman before transferring to Iona. She also played softball for the Gaels in 2013.
Jackson is a native of London, England.
