BROOKINGS – Jimmy Rogers came to the South Dakota State campus on an official visit 17 years ago. He was an unheralded recruit out of Chandler, Ariz., and made his way up to John Stigelmeier’s office.

The office looked a lot like it does today with what Rogers described as “papers up to your ears,” but Stigelmeier sat down and asked Rogers a simple question – Why do you think you’re not being recruited?

“I believed that I should have been [recruited] just like every student-athlete that wants to go play Division-I football,” Rogers recalled. “[But, I was] too short. [I was] too slow…and he didn’t care about any of that.”

That’s because Stigelmeier responded with four words that Rogers believes changed his life.

“We believe in you.”

17 years later that belief has come full circle as Rogers was named the new head coach of the Jackrabbits after Stiegelmeier announced his retirement last week. It continues a journey that saw Rogers go from underrated to the team captain to replacing the most successful coach in school history, but it still has many chapters to be written.

“At 17 years old, South Dakota State wasn’t a dream of mine,” Rogers said. “But 17 years later, I can proudly say my reality has become a dream…and it’s been because of the people that have been in my life, the relationships that have been built, the mentors I’ve had and the friendships that I’ve built that will last a lifetime.”

It began with that visit where Stigelmeier saw something in Rogers that other schools didn’t. Rogers was a two-time state champion and first-team All-State linebacker at Hamilton High School but wasn’t heavily recruited mainly due to his lack of speed and his 5-foot-10 frame. However, Stigelmeier saw more than just his measurements and statistics. He saw a player that could lead his defense.

“I think we look a lot deeper at an individual than his height, weight and 40-time,” Stiegelmeier explained. “We start with a GPA, we start with a film and we say they’re above the line. Jimmy was above the line and when I got to know him, I thought, this guy’s a winner.”

Stigelmeier was prepared to offer a 65 percent scholarship in books, but before he could even finish his sentence, Rogers leaned over the table and shook his hand.

“I’m in,” Rogers said. “...and we’re going to win a national championship.”

Rogers was a part of the team that transitioned SDSU to Division I and became a force in the Great West Football Conference. He tied for ninth on the team with 43 tackles in his redshirt freshman season and led the GWFC with 110 tackles in his redshirt sophomore season. He was a captain on the 2009 team that reached the FCS Playoffs for the first time in school history and was named to the all-Missouri Valley Football Conference Second Team.

While his performance on the field was creating headlines, his leadership and personality off the field were drawing rave reviews off the field from former co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jay Bubak.

“[Bubak] said Jimmy had impacted SDSU football more than anybody in the program, including us [coaches] and that was as a player,” Stigelmeier said. “... It was his leadership [and his] picture of dedication. He played with injuries. He’s one of the best football players and those things are synonymous. … He’s a champion and his love for South Dakota State football impacted it.”

Rogers spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at SDSU before spending the 2012 and 2013 seasons as a graduate assistant at Florida Atlantic. Rogers eventually found his way back to Brookings, starting as a linebackers coach and working his way to defensive coordinator and associate head coach.

Meanwhile, the program continued to reach new heights. The Jacks became regulars in the FCS playoffs. They made their first trip to the national championship game during the 2021 spring season but Stigelmeier also knew that his time on the sidelines was coming to an end.

It was three years ago when Stigelemeier began listing candidates to succeed him and Rogers was one of the names on the list. In addition to his leadership abilities, Rogers had been in every position in the SDSU football program not only from a coaching standpoint but as a player.

“I think any experience you’re going through helps you walk the walk,” Stigelmeier said. “They won’t say to Coach Rogers, ‘You weren’t injured. You weren’t the follower. You aren’t the leader.’ He’s done it all, but he won’t boast about that. That’s just what he’s become as a coach.”

The added bonus is that Rogers not only has experienced it all but he’s done it in Brookings.

“I think there’s power in that,” Rogers said. “You can paint a picture to a student-athlete exactly how you felt when you walked in the doors here or what it’s like to go over to Larson Commons to eat or to live in the dorms and what that experience is like.”

Rogers’s experience reached a new pinnacle on Jan. 8 when the Jackrabbits won the national championship. The win fulfilled a promise that Rogers had given Stigelmeier in the early 2000s but also had set the stage for his next chapter.

“I wish it didn’t take 18 years to do that,” Rogers said. “But it’s been a joy.”

Rogers spent most of his introductory press conference last Friday discussing the standard that has been set since he first set foot on campus 17 years ago and where it has grown to be where it is now. Stigelmeier said he hasn’t given Rogers too much advice – except to make sure his office doesn’t look like his did – but he believes he’s ready for the job.

“He’s got a good program to start with,” Stigelmeier said. “He’s a great leader. He’s paid his dues and when I say that, it’s magnified exponentially. He’s turned down things for this dream to happen. I’ve preached [to] pursue your dreams, so I couldn’t be happier.”

While Rogers has the task of following Stigelmeier, who won a school-record 199 games as head coach, he believes that he’s ready for a job.

“I don’t really think about it,” Rogers said. “It’s like uploading a standard which you have for yourself. I know what [Stigelmeier] has done here but I’m confident in my ability. Will I have that impact of [being head coach] for 35 years? Maybe not. But I’m going to step into this and take full charge and I feel like I’ve impacted players I’ve had the opportunity to coach. I’m excited for the challenge to continue on the legacy.”