In a move that brings back a familiar face to lead one of the top FCS programs in the country, South Dakota State University has announced the hiring of Dan Jackson as their new head football coach. Jackson, a former player and longtime assistant for the Jackrabbits, takes over the reins from Jimmy Rogers, who recently departed to become the head coach at Washington State.
Extensive Experience at South Dakota State
Few candidates could match Jackson’s experience and deep ties to the SDSU football program. As a player, he suited up for the Jackrabbits from 2003 to 2005. After his playing days, Jackson returned to Brookings in 2012 as a graduate assistant – the same year SDSU began their current streak of 13 consecutive FCS playoff appearances.
Jackson’s responsibilities steadily grew over the years as he climbed the coaching ranks. He served as cornerbacks coach, recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator, and assistant head coach under longtime SDSU head man John Stiegelmeier. That extensive experience in all facets of the program made him a natural candidate to take over when the job opened up.
Continuing a Winning Tradition
South Dakota State has emerged as one of the most consistent winners in the FCS ranks. Over the past four seasons, the Jackrabbits have reached the national semifinals each year, capturing titles in 2022 and 2023. Maintaining that level of success will be Jackson’s primary charge.
We knew we wanted someone who understood the culture and expectations of Jackrabbit football. Coach Jackson has been integral to building this program into a national powerhouse.
SDSU Athletic Director Justin Sell on the hiring of Dan Jackson
While this will be Jackson’s first stint as a head coach, his years as an assistant at SDSU and his most recent role as defensive coordinator at Idaho have prepared him well. He inherits a roster loaded with talent that has grown accustomed to making deep playoff runs.
Coaching Journey Comes Full Circle
After over a decade at South Dakota State as a player and coach, Jackson broadened his experience with stints at Northern Illinois and Vanderbilt. But the opportunity to return to his alma mater and lead the Jackrabbits proved too appealing to pass up.
While SDSU fans may have been surprised by the sudden departure of Jimmy Rogers to the FBS level, they can take comfort in the familiar face taking over. From starring on the field to helping guide the program’s rise as an assistant, Dan Jackson’s Jackrabbit roots run deep. Now he’ll look to make his mark as head coach and maintain SDSU’s place among the FCS elite.
The Road Ahead
Jackson certainly has big shoes to fill, both in terms of on-field success and longevity. His predecessor John Stiegelmeier patrolled the sidelines in Brookings for an incredible 26 seasons. Building that same level of stability and consistency will be crucial.
The expectations are sky-high for a program that has become a fixture in the national semifinals. With Jackson’s promotion from within, the hope is that South Dakota State won’t miss a beat. His first task will be assembling a coaching staff, with the rest of the FCS world eager to see what direction he takes the Jackrabbits’ high-powered offense and tenacious defense.
A New Era Dawns
As spring practices commence, all eyes in Brookings will be on the new man in charge. Dan Jackson knows he has inherited a special program, one that has become a model of consistency in the ever-shifting landscape of college football.
With his unique blend of SDSU history and external coaching experience, Jackson seems ideally suited for the challenge of sustaining the Jackrabbits’ success. The rest of the Missouri Valley Football Conference – and the entire FCS – will be watching closely to see if South Dakota State can maintain its place among the nation’s elite under new leadership.
For Dan Jackson, the chance to lead his alma mater is the opportunity of a lifetime. Expectations are high, but he wouldn’t want it any other way. As a new era dawns for South Dakota State football, Jackson will look to make an immediate impact and prove that the Jackrabbits’ winning tradition is here to stay.
