Wazzu hires South Dakota State’s Rogers - Marin Independent Journal

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Wazzu hires South Dakota State’s Rogers

South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers stands on the field for the FCS Championship game against Montana on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas. RICHARD W. RODRIGUEZ — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE

BYU quarterback Gerry Bohanon (3) runs past Colorado defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas (95) during the first half of the Alamo Bowl on Saturday in San Antonio. PHOTOS BY ERIC GAY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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PULLMAN, Wash. >> Washington State hired South Dakota State’s Jimmy Rogers as its head football coach Saturday.

Rogers replaces Jake Dickert, who left to become Wake Forest’s head coach Dec. 18.

Rogers arrives in Pullman after two successful years as South Dakota State’s head coach. He led the Jackrabbits to the 2023 FCS national championship and to the national semifinals this season, compiling a 27-3 record.

Rogers earned the Eddie Robinson Award as the FCS’s top coach following the 2023 championship run and was the defensive coordinator when the Jackrabbits won the national title the year before. He’s spent the past 12 years at South Dakota State, starting as linebackers coach in 2013.

Rogers started his coaching career at his alma mater right after his playing days and spent two seasons at Florida Atlantic before returning.

Rogers takes over a program decimated by the transfer portal. The Cougars lost at least 25 players and several coaches, including both coordinators.

Short-handed Washington State lost 52-35 to No. 22 Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night

Georgia QB Beck announces plan to enter draft >> Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery.

Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta.

Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. He is expected to begin throwing next spring.

UConn signs coach Mora to contract extension >> UConn coach Jim Mora agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2028, the school announced the day of the Huskies’ Fenway Bowl game against North Carolina.

Mora will earn $10.01 million plus incentives over the next four years, the school said.