Jesse Bobbit

AMES — Iowa State’s new head football coach Jimmy Rogers has announced that Jesse Bobbit, his former defensive coordinator at Washington State, has been hired to fill the same role with the Cyclones.

Bobbit arrives at Iowa State after a successful first season at Washington State. Bobbit was the interim head coach in Rogers’ stead for the Cougars’ 34-21 win over Utah State in Monday’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Washington State finished the season 7-6 with a roster of 75 newcomers. The Cougars fell by four points or fewer to College Football Playoff qualifiers Ole Miss (24-21) and James Madison (24-20), as well as ACC champion Virginia (22-20) on the road. Bobbit’s defense held each of those three opponents to more than 10 points below their season average.

The Cougars allowed just 20.2 points per game in 2025, including just 13.5 points in the final nine games. In total, WSU allowed 10 points or less in six of 13 contests.

Under Bobbit’s leadership, Washington State had one of the nation’s best passing defenses in 2025, ranking 13th nationally while allowing just 174.4 passing yards per game. On the ground, WSU gave up just 125.2 rushing yards as its total defense finished the regular season ranked No. 15 with opponents recording just 299.5 yards per game.

Prior to his season at Washington State, Bobbit spent three seasons (2022-24) at South Dakota State alongside Rogers, winning back-to-back Football Championship Subdivision national championships in 2022 and 2023 and finishing as a semifinalist in 2024. Three Jackrabbits’ defensive players earned All-America accolades during his tenure as an on-field assistant.

Bobbit became SDSU’s defensive coordinator when Rogers took over as head coach and the Jackrabbit defense finished first in the FCS both seasons, including allowing just 9.3 points during the 2023 championship season.

The 2023 team also ranked first nationally in red zone conversion percentage defense (.588), total defense (257.2 yards per game) and takeaways (29).

Bobbit’s first stint at Washington State was as a graduate assistant from 2020-21.

“Jesse was one of the most focused players I’ve ever coached and that has carried over into his coaching career,” Rogers said. “He has a great ability to build a culture within his defensive staff and on that side of the ball. A culture where guys play for each other and hold each other accountable.

“The style we are going to play here will replicate Jesse’s personality, his intensity and what he expects on a day-to-day basis.”

The Palatine, Ill., native was a three-year starter at linebacker for Rogers at SDSU, serving as team captain and earning all-Missouri Valley Football Conference second-team honors in 2016. Out of college, he worked at Bellevue West High School (Neb.) as linebackers and special teams coach in 2018.

Bobbit earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in health education from South Dakota State in 2017. He received his master’s degree in education from Washington State.