**Breaking News: South Dakota State Head Coach Dan Jackson Resigns Amid Internal Disagreements**
In a surprising development, Dan Jackson has resigned from his position as head football coach at South Dakota State University (SDSU), citing internal disagreements within the program. Jackson, who was appointed as the 22nd head coach in Jackrabbit football history in December 2024, had a brief tenure marked by efforts to maintain the team’s competitive edge following the departure of former head coach Jimmy Rogers.
Jackson’s association with SDSU spans over a decade, beginning as a player from 2003 to 2005 and later serving in various coaching roles, including graduate assistant, cornerbacks coach, special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and assistant head coach under John Stiegelmeier. His return to SDSU as head coach was seen as a homecoming, bringing experience from his coaching stints at Northern Illinois, Vanderbilt, Idaho, and a brief period at New Mexico.
During his short time as head coach, Jackson faced challenges in assembling a new coaching staff and retaining players
amid the evolving landscape of college football, including the transfer portal
and NIL considerations. Despite these hurdles, he expressed enthusiasm for
leading the program and building upon its recent successes, which included
national championships in 2022 and 2023.
The specifics of the internal disagreements leading to Jackson’s resignation have not been disclosed.
However, sources close to the program suggest that differing visions for the
team’s direction and management contributed to the decision.
SDSU’s athletic department has yet to announce a successor for the head
coaching position. The administration is expected to begin the search for a new
head coach promptly to ensure continuity for the upcoming season.
Jackson’s departure marks the end of a brief chapter for SDSU football, and his
contributions to the program, both as a player and coach, will be remembered by the community.
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