Washington State hiring South Dakota State’s Jimmy Rogers as next head coach: Sources

South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers is expected to become the new head coach at Washington State, sources briefed on the search told The Athletic Saturday.

The 37-year-old Arizona native and former Jackrabbits linebacker led South Dakota State to its second consecutive FCS national title in 2023, going 15-0 in his first season as head coach replacing John Stiegelmeier and winning the Eddie Robinson Award, honoring the nation’s top FCS coach. South Dakota State carried a 29-game winning streak into the 2024 season and finished 12-3, losing to North Dakota State in the FCS semifinals.

Before getting promoted to the head coaching spot at his alma mater, Rogers, a captain on the Jackrabbits’ first FCS playoff team in 2009, played a key role in South Dakota State’s 2022 national title, directing the nation’s top rushing defense as as Jackrabbits defensive coordinator.

Rogers will replace Jake Dickert, who left Washington State earlier this month to become head coach at Wake Forest, replacing Dave Clawson. The Cougars finished the 2024 season 8-5 after losing to Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night.

— The Athletic’s Chris Vannini contributed reporting.

(Photo: Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)