South Dakota State seeking FCS title repeat, Montana in first championship game since '09
South Dakota State is seeking to repeat as NCAA champions in the Football Championship Subdivision
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Jimmy Rogers never dreamed of playing at South Dakota State, and certainly never anticipated becoming coach of the Jackrabbits.
The kid from Arizona who was a standout linebacker and captain of their first playoff team in 2009, then defensive coordinator for their first national title last season, is now the first-year head coach as the top-seeded Jackrabbits (14-0) try to repeat in the Football Championship Subdivision. They take a 28-game winning streak into Sunday's game against No. 2 seed Montana (13-1).
“My reality becoming a dream means I wanted to do it at the highest level, and we’ve taken South Dakota State to the highest level,” Rogers said. “To be the head coach of it, I never envisioned that 18 years ago. ... But I did envision winning national championships here.”
Less than two weeks after the Jackrabbits beat Missouri Valley Conference rival North Dakota State last January to become champions in John Stiegelmeier's 26th season as head coach, he retired and Rogers was immediately named his successo r.
