Hue Jackson isn't hiding from the circumstances that led to his dismissal as coach of the Oakland Raiders.
In doing so -- whether it's a form of damage control or simply the fact he's had time to reflect -- Jackson readily admits he could have done things differently.
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New general manager Reggie McKenzie swiftly removed Jackson as soon as he was in position to do so, ending the first-time head coach's run in power Tuesday. McKenzie said the decision was solely his, and he wanted "his guy" in place to start his tenure.
Jackson likely helped seal his own fate by talking openly at a season-ending news conference about having more control in 2012. Following iconic owner Al Davis' death in October, it was Jackson who had control over football decisions. The scene added to the perception that Jackson was power hungry, a claim he vehemently denied to Yahoo! Sports.
"I wish I could take it back and say it differently so people could really understand what I was trying to say," Jackson told NFL Network on Wednesday. "I wasn't trying to say that I wanted to take total control of everything. I think when you work for the Raiders, I think you understand that Al Davis is first and foremost. You work for him.
"So I didn't get the opportunity to put everybody that I wanted on my staff, or run the team or the situation that deals with football operations the way I see fit. I took the job, and I knew the parameters of the job, and I accepted that. I think at the end, what was coming out of me was the emotion of a long season."
Instead, they ended up with neither -- and an 8-8 record.
Jackson explained he normally showers after speaking to the team in the locker room. Instead, following the loss to the San Diego Chargers, he went straight to speak to the media. Carrying the emotions of the defeat, Jackson now wishes he could go back.
"That's a lesson learned from me," Jackson admitted. "I think you need to settle down first and really think through what you're saying. But what I said is what I felt. Not that I was trying to say I wanted to run everything; I just wanted to be able to feel like I knew there was some changes to be made, and I wanted to be able to make them. I was trying to voice that."
Jackson said he doesn't fault the Raiders for "feeling the way they feel." But knowing he won't have the chance to do things the way he wanted might be more difficult for Jackson to get over.
