Northwestern is targeting Villanova athletic director Mark Jackson as the school's new athletic director, sources told ESPN.
Jackson emerged from a field of three finalists and a deal is expected to be reached in the near future, sources said.
Jackson would replace Derrick Gragg, who was reassigned in June. He will become the school's third athletic director since Jim Phillips left to accept the ACC commissioner's job in December 2020.
Jackson brings extensive experience in athletic management and football. Villanova won two national basketball titles during Jackson's nine years as athletic director. There he earned a reputation as a strong fundraiser and an administrator capable of leading major facilities projects.
Jackson also brings extensive experience in the NFL and college football, including overseeing football at both Syracuse and USC during his stints with those cities' athletic departments.
Prior to Villanova, Jackson served as senior associate athletics director and chief innovation officer at USC. He worked closely with the city's football program and assisted in the renovation of the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Jackson also worked for the then Oakland Raiders as the organization's director of football development. He has strong ties to Pete Carroll, with whom he worked on the New England Patriots and alongside him at USC.
Northwestern spent much of last season dealing with the fallout from the firing of coach Pat Fitzgerald in the wake of harassment allegations within the program. Interim coach David Braun earned the permanent job by posting an 8-5 record and keeping the program together.
Also looming at Northwestern is a renovation of Ryan Field that will see Northwestern play some home games in a makeshift stadium this year.
