Washington State is hiring Jimmy Rogers of South Dakota State as its next football coach

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State hired Jimmy Rogers from South Dakota State as its head football coach on Saturday.

Rogers replaces Jake Dickert, who left Dec. 18 to become Wake Forest’s head coach.

“It was clear throughout the process that Jimmy embodies the qualities needed to lead our program: character, passion, vision and commitment,” Washington State athletic director Anne McCoy said in a statement. “His coaching skills are extremely high, as is his work. Ethics and the value he places on mentoring the young men in his program is evident.”

Rogers comes to Pullman after two successful years as South Dakota State’s head coach. He led the Jackrabbits to the 2023 FCS national championship and the national semifinals this season, compiling a 27-3 record.

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Rogers received the Eddie Robinson Award as the FCS’s top coach after the 2023 championship and was defensive coordinator when the Jackrabbits won the national title the year before. He spent the last 12 years at South Dakota State, starting as linebackers coach in 2013.

Rogers played linebacker at South Dakota State for three seasons and finished his career as the school’s tackles leader. He began his coaching career immediately after his playing days at his alma mater and spent two seasons at Florida Atlantic before returning.

Rogers takes over a program decimated by the transfer portal. The Cougars lost at least 25 players and several coaches, including both coordinators.

Short-handed Washington State lost 52-35 to No. 22 Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night.