Quickly after the news broke of Penn State coming to terms with Matt Campbell, Iowa State football has officially named its new head coach for the 2026-27 season, as the Cyclones have agreed to a contract with Jimmy Rogers on Friday, Dec. 5.
Rogers, who spent the 2025-26 season at Washington State, is a proven winner through his 12-year tenure at his alma mater, South Dakota State, where he led the Jackrabbits to a 2023 FCS National Championship and a 15-0 record alongside current Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski national championship in his first year as head coach after taking over for longtime coach John Stiegelmeier.
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During 10 of those 12 seasons at South Dakota State, Rogers served in multiple assistant coaching roles, including linebackers coach, defensive coordinator, and associate head coach.
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 (ISU Director of Athletics) 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,” he added. “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.
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While time will tell how much talent from Iowa State’s current roster departs via the transfer portal, it is evident that the Cyclones want to continue their upward trajectory under Rogers’ leadership.
The Hawkeyes will get their first look at Jimmy Rogers next fall when the Cyclones visit Kinnick Stadium for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series in early September 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa State football hires former FCS national champion Jimmy Rogers
