SDSU, Stiegelmeier agree on 5-year contract extension

SDSU Sports Information
Posted 12/11/18

BROOKINGS – South Dakota State University and head football coach John Stiegelmeier have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension that will keep the longtime Jackrabbit mentor on the sidelines through the 2023 season.

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SDSU, Stiegelmeier agree on 5-year contract extension

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South Dakota State University and head football coach John Stiegelmeier have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension that will keep the longtime Jackrabbit mentor on the sidelines through the 2023 season.
 
"John has done an incredible job in building the Jackrabbit football program into one of the best in the Football Championship Subdivision year in and year out," SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. "The program has been a model of consistency not only in winning on the field, but in areas like academics, character and community service. That culture is unique and something I know our fan base is proud of."
 
In 22 seasons at SDSU, Stiegelmeier has compiled a 158-99 career record, posting a winning record 18 times, including 13 of 15 seasons at the Division I level. The Jackrabbits are making their second consecutive FCS semifinal appearance and have qualified for postseason play seven years in a row and eight times in 10 seasons.

 
"I want to thank President Barry Dunn and Justin Sell for their belief and faith in me," Stiegelmeier said. "I have been blessed beyond measure to serve as the head football coach at South Dakota State University. Laurie and I are looking forward to the next five years and the many accomplishments that lie ahead."
 
The winningest coach in program history, Stiegelmeier has led the Jackrabbits to nine or more wins in six of the last seven seasons, including consecutive 10-win seasons in 2017 (school-record 11 wins) and 2018 (10 wins). In Missouri Valley Football Conference play, the Jackrabbits have a 61-27 mark (.693 winning percentage) in 11 seasons, earning a share of the league title in 2016.
 
In the classroom, SDSU has claimed the MVFC Team Academic Award nine times and Jackrabbit student-athletes have been honored as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans 27 times during his tenure as head coach.
 
SDSU also has made significant strides on the facility front in the past decade — from the opening of team headquarters in the Dykhouse Student-Athlete Center in 2010, to the construction of the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in 2014, to the completion of Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in 2016.
 
A Selby native, Stiegelmeier is a 1979 graduate of SDSU. He served as a student assistant coach as an undergraduate, before joining the staff on a full-time basis in 1988 as secondary coach and recruiting coordinator on Wayne Haensel's staff. He was elevated to defensive coordinator by then-head coach Mike Daly in 1991, and was named Daly's successor following the 1996 season.