You’ve probably heard the chatter. Ever since the 2024 season wrapped up and the "Jimmy Rogers era" took a wild turn with him heading to Iowa State, people started wondering if the golden age of South Dakota State football was officially over. It’s a fair question. When you lose a coach who went 27-3 over two seasons and won a national title, the "dynasty" label usually starts to peel off.
But if you think Brookings is about to become a ghost town for championships, you haven't been paying attention to the actual foundation here.
Honestly, it’s kinda funny how quickly the national media pivots. One minute the Jackrabbits are the kings of the FCS, and the next, everyone is looking at North Dakota State or Montana to reclaim the throne. But South Dakota State football didn't just stumble into success because of one coach or one star quarterback like Mark Gronowski—who, by the way, finished his college career at Iowa after a massive 2025 season.
Success here is built into the dirt of the Missouri Valley. It's about the relentless, boring, blue-collar consistency that Dan Jackson is now tasked with maintaining.
The Dan Jackson Era: A Homecoming with High Stakes
Let’s talk about Dan Jackson. He was named the 22nd head coach on the final day of 2024. He’s not some random hire from a search firm; the guy played in Brookings from 2003 to 2005. He was there when the program started its 13-year playoff streak.
Coming back from a defensive coordinator stint at Idaho, Jackson didn't inherit a rebuilding project. He inherited a machine. But machines need maintenance. The 2025 season was a rollercoaster that showed exactly where the gaps are.
A 29-50 loss to Montana in December 2025 was a brutal way to end the year. You could feel the collective gasp from the fans at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. It wasn't just a loss; it was a statement that the gap between the Jacks and the rest of the FCS elite had narrowed.
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Jackson is essentially trying to fly the plane while replacing the engine. He's kept the defensive identity—mostly—but the offensive transition after Gronowski left for the Big Ten was rocky. Chase Mason stepped in and showed flashes of brilliance, including that massive 95-yard touchdown pass that basically broke the internet in Jackrabbit circles. But consistency is the "it" factor that's currently missing.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Season
If you look at the raw record, people see a few more losses than they’re used to and assume the sky is falling. They see the 17-24 loss to the USD Coyotes in November and think the rivalry has flipped.
It hasn't. Not really.
The 2025 season was defined by "almosts."
- An overtime thriller against North Dakota (34-31 Win).
- A defensive struggle against Indiana State (12-24 Loss).
- A blowout win against New Hampshire (41-3 Win) that reminded everyone why Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium is a house of horrors for visitors.
The reality of South Dakota State football right now is that they are transitioning from a veteran-heavy, "NFL-factory" roster to a younger, more athletic squad. You’ve got guys like Max Pelham and Grahm Clayborne earning AFCA All-American honors, proving the talent is still there. It’s just younger.
People forget that dominance in the FCS is cyclical. North Dakota State went through it. James Madison went through it before they jumped to the FBS. The Jacks are in the "retooling" phase, not the "collapsing" phase.
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The Dana J. Dykhouse Factor
You can’t talk about this program without mentioning the stadium. Seriously. $65 million well spent.
When you walk into Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, it doesn't feel like "small-time" football. It feels like a mid-tier Big 12 environment. The 19,300 seats are almost always packed, and the 3,100-square-foot video board—thanks to Daktronics—is legitimately massive.
The atmosphere for the 2025 playoffs, specifically the New Hampshire game, was electric. The blue and yellow checkerboard end zones are iconic at this point. It’s a recruiting tool. When a kid from Omaha or Sioux Falls walks into that facility, they aren't thinking about "FCS vs. FBS." They’re thinking about the fact that the Jacks have one of the premier football complexes in the country.
Recruitment and the 2026 Outlook
Looking ahead to 2026, the recruiting trail is where the battle is being won. Dan Jackson and his staff have been aggressive.
They’ve already secured commitments from big-time local talent. Hudson Parliament, a 6-foot-4 interior offensive lineman from Brandon Valley, is a massive get. Literally. He’s 320 pounds and plays with the kind of nastiness this program was built on. Then you’ve got Barry Fries, a linebacker from Nebraska who signed in early 2026.
These aren't "filler" players. These are the guys who are going to be the backbone of the defense in two years.
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Why the NFL is Still Watching
Even with the coaching changes, NFL scouts haven't stopped flying into Brookings.
- Mark Gronowski’s success after transferring only validated the SDSU development system.
- Max Pelham is a name to watch for the 2026 draft.
- The program still ranks high in "sacks allowed," meaning the offensive line is still producing pro-ready blockers.
Basically, if you can play in the Missouri Valley, you can play on Sundays. The league knows it. The players know it.
The Rivalry Reset
The Montana loss in the 2025 playoffs hurt. A lot. It was a reminder that the Griz are still the Griz, and playing in Missoula in December is a nightmare.
But the rivalry with Montana State is where the Jacks have really exerted dominance lately. They took down the Bobcats 30-24 in a double-overtime heart-stopper in Bozeman back in September 2025. That win proved that even in a "down" year, the Jacks can go into one of the toughest environments in the country and come out with a W.
The gap between SDSU, NDSU, Montana, and Montana State is razor-thin right now. That’s actually good for the sport, even if it’s stressful for the fans in Brookings.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you want to keep a real pulse on where this program is headed, don't just look at the Top 25 polls. Those are lagging indicators.
- Watch the Transfer Portal Activity: See if Dan Jackson starts bringing in FBS drop-downs to fill the gaps in the secondary. That’s been a weak spot.
- Track the Red Zone Efficiency: In 2025, the Jacks were scoring on about 83% of their red zone trips. To get back to a national title, that number needs to be north of 90%.
- Monitor the 2026 Recruiting Class: Keep an eye on guys like Edward Whiting (TE) and Grant Wilkinson (OT). If they sign and stay, the O-line dominance continues.
- Attend a Spring Game: Honestly, the best way to see the "new look" offense under Chase Mason is to get to the spring scrimmage. The chemistry between Mason and his young receivers will determine the 2026 season's ceiling.
South Dakota State football isn't going anywhere. They might not be the undisputed #1 team in every single poll right now, but the infrastructure, the recruiting base, and the coaching pedigree are too strong for a permanent slide. They're still the team everyone else in the Missouri Valley is circling on their calendar. And that’s exactly where they want to be.
Check the 2026 schedule as soon as it's finalized—the non-conference slate will tell you everything you need to know about Dan Jackson's confidence in this roster. Over and out.