Mansfield Athletics

Ackerman was head coach of the men's basketball program from 1989 to 1999 where he led Mansfield to 127 wins in his tenure. In 1997, Ackerman guided the Mountaineers to a PSAC East title, PSAC Championship, and NCAA Tournament berth coaching PSAC East Player of the Year Louis Judson and PSAC East Rookie of the Year Tommy Harvey. He also guided the Mounties to an ECAC playoff berth in 1995 and was twice named PSAC East Coach of the Year (1995, 1997).
 
Ackerman left Mansfield with the second most wins in program history. Five of his former players would go on to be inducted into the Mansfield Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame and two of his assistant coaches (Vince Alexander, Rich Miller) would lead the Mansfield men's basketball program as head coaches.