Campbell Hall’s Jackson Loses Job : Prep basketball: Coach who led team to 24-5 record will fight school’s decision.

Campbell Hall High boys’ basketball Coach Joe Jackson, who this season led the team to its first winning record and first playoff appearance, has been placed on leave and told by the school that he will not be rehired.

Jackson, a full-time physical education teacher, said Wednesday that he has been placed on involuntary paid administrative leave and was asked not to return to the campus. Jackson, who declined on the advice of his attorney to state the reasons behind the action, said that he has demanded a hearing by the private school’s board of directors.

In his third season as coach, Jackson, 29, led the Vikings to a 24-5 record, the Southern Section Division V-AA final and a berth in the state playoffs.

“My goal, first and foremost, is to remain at the school,” Jackson said. “I want the position that I’ve had for the last three years.”

In that time, the Vikings moved from being a Delphic League also-ran to a contender. In Jackson’s first two seasons, the team was a combined 19-30. All five starters from the 1990-91 team, the first in school history to have a winning record in boys’ basketball, are underclassmen and will return next season.

This season, Campbell Hall placed second in Delphic League play at 7-3, its best finish.

“I feel like I’ve been a father figure and a big brother for three years,” Jackson said. “And now I’m being kicked out of the family.”

Jackson said he met with Campbell Hall Headmaster Tom Clarke on March 19 and was told he was being put on leave. Jackson contacted a lawyer three days later.

Jackson said that his contract includes a provision guaranteeing him a hearing in case of non-renewal. The school, Jackson said, has denied his request for a review.

“Given a fair and impartial committee, we feel Mr. Jackson will prevail,” said Jackson’s attorney, who would not identify himself as anyone other than a representative of the Beverly Hills firm of Anderson and Anderson.

Jackson’s attorney said that his firm has asked for a response from the school regarding the hearing within the next two weeks.

Boys’ athletic director Kirk Duncan could not be reached for comment.