New Mexico defensive coordinator Dan Jackson has been named South Dakota State's next head coach, the program announced Tuesday.
Jackson joined New Mexico's staff as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on Dec. 23, following new head coach Jason Eck from Idaho. Jackson first worked with Eck at South Dakota State, where Jackson is an alum.
After starting at SDSU as a defensive intern and rising to become the Jackrabbits' assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach, Jackson spent two seasons coaching defensive backs and special teams at Northern Illinois and another season coaching at Vanderbilt.
“Dan is an elite person and football coach,” Eck said upon his hire at Idaho. “He played a big part in South Dakota State’s ascension to the top program in the country and went on to add SEC experience."
South Dakota State is looking for a new head coach after Jimmy Rogers took the Washington State job. Rogers went 27-3 in his two seasons, leading the Jackrabbits to the 2023 FCS national championship and an FCS semifinal appearance this past season.
Jackson played for future Hall of Fame coach John Stiegelmeier from 2003-05, then returned in 2012. His return coincided with South Dakota State's ongoing run of 13 consecutive FCS playoff berths. Jackson helped the Jackrabbits to FCS semifinal berths in 2017-18, and he's now expected to return to Brookings to lead a program that boasts a run of five straight semifinal appearances with two national championships.
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