Washington State football faces a shocking transition as head coach Jimmy Rogers departs after just one season to take the Iowa State job. The surprising move ends what had been viewed as an upward trajectory for the Cougars program.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Jimmy Rogers directed Washington State to a 6-6 record in his lone season.
- Rogers won the 2023 FCS National Championship in his first year with South Dakota State.
- He signed a six-year contract with Iowa State replacing Matt Campbell.
- Three of WSU’s six losses came against top-25 ranked opponents in 2025.
Washington State Loses Rising Star Coach After Successful First Season
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The Washington State Cougars will search for new leadership after losing Jimmy Rogers on Friday evening. Rogers, who accepted the head coaching position at Iowa State, guided the program to a 6-6 record in his inaugural year in Pullman.
Despite finishing with a .500 record, Rogers accomplished what few coaches achieve in their first season. He led Washington State to a bowl game—just the fourth Cougars head coach to do so in their debut season. His departure marks a stunning conclusion to what appeared to be a promising start.
From FCS Champion to Power Conference Opportunity
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Jimmy Rogers arrives at Iowa State as a proven winner with an exceptional track record. At South Dakota State, he compiled a remarkable 27-3 record in two years as head coach. Most notably, he directed the Jackrabbits to the 2023 FCS National Championship in his first season.
Rogers earned the Eddie Robinson Award as the nation’s top FCS coach following that championship run. His defensive expertise proved invaluable, as South Dakota State led the FCS ranks in scoring defense with just 9.3 points per game in 2023. The Cyclones believe his winning mentality will help elevate their program to championship contention.
| Metric | Detail |
| 2023 Season (SDSU) | 15-0 record, FCS National Champions |
| 2024 Season (SDSU) | 12-3 record, FCS Semifinals |
| 2025 Season (WSU) | 6-6 record, Bowl Game |
| Career Head Coach Record | 33-9 (.786 winning percentage) |
Iowa State Poaches Top Coaching Candidate from Washington State
Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard moved quickly to secure Rogers, indicating the Cyclones had long desired his services. “Jimmy Rogers is a rising star in college athletics who has very strong ties to the Midwest,” Pollard stated. He emphasized that Rogers had expressed genuine interest in the Iowa State job during previous conversations.
Iowa State appointed Rogers as the 34th head football coach in program history, replacing Matt Campbell. The Cyclones offered a six-year contract, signaling their commitment to stability. The Big 12 program aims to build on recent momentum with a coach proven at both divisions.
“My family and I are excited to be joining the Iowa State University community and the Cyclone football program. Iowa State has been one of the nation’s top programs for the last decade.”
— Jimmy Rogers, Head Coach, Iowa State Football
What This Means for Washington State’s Coaching Search
Washington State now faces an immediate rebuild at the coaching position. Rogers had just begun implementing his system and building recruiting momentum. The program must find a candidate who can maintain the progress achieved during Rogers’ 2025 campaign while competing in a challenging new conference landscape.
The Cougars showed resilience despite their 6-6 record, losing three games to top-25 ranked opponents: No. 6 Ole Miss (24-21), No. 17 Virginia (22-20), and No. 25 James Madison (24-20). These competitive losses demonstrate that Rogers’ roster improvement reversed years of decline, making Washington State potentially an attractive destination for another emerging coach seeking to build a winner.
Can Rogers Replicate Success at Power Conference Level?
The critical question now centers on whether Jimmy Rogers can transition his exceptional FCS success to the Power Conference environment. Moving from South Dakota State to Washington State—and now to Iowa State—represents an ambitious coaching progression. His 33-9 career head coaching record demonstrates consistent excellence, but Power Five (now Power Four) football presents different challenges.
Rogers brings elite defensive credentials cultivated over a decade of coaching linebackers at South Dakota State. Eight times he coached 100-tackle linebackers, and Christian Rozeboom became an FCS career tackles leader under his tutelage. Whether these principles scale to major conference football will determine Rogers’ future trajectory in the sport’s highest tier.
Sources
- Iowa State Athletics – Official announcement of Jimmy Rogers’ hiring
- The Seattle Times/The Spokesman-Review – Details on Washington State’s season and coaching transition
- USA Today College Sports Wire – Analysis of Rogers’ appointment at Iowa State
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.