Completed Event: Football versus Iowa on September 6, 2025 , Win , 16, to, 13
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Iowa State University Athletics
Jesse Bobbit Named Iowa State Defensive Coordinator
12.23.2025 | Football
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers has announced that Jesse Bobbit, a former player for him at South Dakota State, has been named the Cyclones' defensive coordinator.
"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."
Bobbit arrives at Iowa State after a successful first season at Washington State as he helped a team with 75 newcomers reach the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, which it won Monday against Utah State with Bobbit serving as interim head coach.
Washington State finished the season 7-6, with its almost completely new roster. The Cougars had a few near upsets as well, falling by four points or less to College Football Playoff qualifiers Ole Miss (21-24) and James Madison (20-24), as well as ACC Champion Virginia (20-22), on the road. Bobbit's defense held each of the three opponents to at least 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.
Washington State racked up 31 sacks and was outstanding in specialty situations. The Cougars were seventh nationally in fourth down conversion defense (.333) and their red zone defense ranked 10th nationally (.727).
Prior to Washington State, Bobbit spent three seasons (2022-24) at South Dakota State alongside Rogers, winning back-to-back 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.
He became SDSU's defensive coordinator when Rogers took over as head coach and the Jackrabbit defense finished first in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) both seasons, including allowing just 9.3 points during the 2023 national championship season.
The 2023 team also ranked first nationally in red zone conversion percentage defense (.588), total defense (257.2 yards per game) and turnovers gained (29).
Bobbit's first stint at Washington State was from 2020 to 2021 when he was a graduate assistant and worked in quality control for the defense. The 2021 Cougar squad played in the Sun Bowl.
The Palatine, Illinois native was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Jackrabbits, 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 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, where he served as a graduate assistant.
Coaching Experience
2026 – Iowa State – Defensive Coordinator
2025 – Washington State – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2023-24 – South Dakota State - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2022 – South Dakota State – Safeties/Recruiting Coordinator
2021 – Washington State – Defensive Quality Control
2020 – Washington State – Graduate Assistant (Linebackers)
2019 – South Dakota State – Graduate Assistant (Linebackers/Safeties)
2018 – Bellevue West High School (Neb.) – Linebackers/Special Teams
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