T.R. Miller girls basketball coach Ronald Jackson decided 41 years was enough.

The Hall of Fame coach recently announced his retirement to follow this season. Jackson won more than 1,000 career games and guided teams to five state championships during 41 seasons.

“I’m just tired,” said Jackson, who was inducted into the Alabama High School Hall of Fame this year. “I just want to get up when I want to or don’t get up in the morning.”

A 1977 Dallas County graduate, Jackon played college basketball for Southern Mississippi and still holds records for the Golden Eagles. His coaching career began in 1985 at Monroe County where he guided the girls team to the final four in all three seasons, winning the 1987 Class 5A state championship with a 21-3 record, the school’s only girls basketball title.

“You always remember the first one,” Jackson said.

Jackson then moved to the boys program at Keith, again leading a team to the final four. He took over at T.R. Miller, coaching boys for nine seasons starting in 1990 and also coached the girls team beginning 1992, leading both for seven years.

Jackson’s first T.R. Miller girls team compiled 17-2 record, won the area title and advanced to the state quarterfinals. His teams have won 24 total area championships with 14 earning a spot in the final four. Jackson coached girls state championships in 1995, 1996, 2002 and 2009 and was runner-up in 2004 and 2020.

T.R. Miller girls won 62 straight games from 1992-1996 in addition to producing 24 all state players. Jackson’s teams have 20-plus 20-win seasons and five 30-plus win seasons.

“It’s the kids you remember most,” Jackson said. “You really get attached to the kids.”