Quickly after the news broke of Penn State coming to terms on an eight-year deal Matt Campbell, Iowa State named its new head football coach for the 2026 season, as the Cyclones agreed to a contract with Jimmy Rogers.
Rogers spent the 2025 season authoring a 6-6 campaign at Washington State. The 38-year-old enjoyed a 12-year run in various coaching capacities at his alma mater, South Dakota State, prior to his lone season in Pullman, Wash.
While coaching at South Dakota State, Rogers served as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator before he became the successor to longtime SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier. In his first season as head coach, Rogers led South Dakota State to a 15-0 record and the FCS national championship alongside current Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski.
The Jackrabbits also won the FCS national championship in 2022 after Rogers was elevated to being the team’s sole defensive coordinator, and they played for another FCS title in 2020.
According to Iowa State’s announcement, the contract with Rogers is for six years, with the specific dollar amount undisclosed at the moment.
“My family and I are excited to be joining the Iowa State University community and the Cyclone football program,” Rogers said. “Iowa State has been one of the nation’s top programs for the last decade and we look forward to building upon its upward trajectory. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that Jamie Pollard has given me to lead the Cyclones.
“From the administration, to the alumni and current student-athletes, this University has everything needed to compete at the highest level in college football. I am honored to be given this opportunity and responsibility and cannot wait to get started.”
Following a 6-6 record in his lone season at Washington State, Rogers now owns an all-time 33-9 head coaching record, including a 27-3 mark in two seasons leading South Dakota State.
The Hawkeyes will get their first look at Rogers next fall when the Cyclones visit Kinnick Stadium for the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series in early September of 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa State football hires Washington State’s Jimmy Rogers
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
