Jesse Bobbit is on the move again - and this time, he’s stepping into the spotlight of the Big 12.
After guiding Washington State through its bowl game as interim head coach and defensive coordinator, Bobbit is officially heading to Iowa State, where he’ll take over as the Cyclones’ new defensive coordinator under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers. And make no mistake - this isn’t a co-coordinator situation. Bobbit confirmed he’ll be the guy calling the shots on defense in Ames.
“Excited for that opportunity,” Bobbit told reporters. “It’s what’s best for myself, my wife, our family, and just the career moving forward. I had a lot of great conversations with people here, but I’m excited for that journey.”
This move isn’t just about a new job - it’s about a reunion. Bobbit and Rogers go way back.
Their football bond began at South Dakota State, where Bobbit was a hard-hitting linebacker from 2013 to 2016 and Rogers coached his position group. That connection has only deepened over the years, with Bobbit following Rogers to multiple stops as both have climbed the coaching ladder.
Now, just six years after starting his college coaching career as a graduate assistant, Bobbit is taking the reins of a Power Five defense. That’s a meteoric rise by any standard - and it’s backed by results.
Bobbit has built a reputation as a defensive mind with a knack for getting the most out of his units. After starting as a GA at South Dakota State and later working with linebackers at Washington State, Bobbit returned to SDSU in 2022 to coach safeties.
He didn’t stay in that role long. His impact was immediate, and he was soon promoted to defensive coordinator - a move that paid off in a big way.
Under Bobbit’s leadership, the Jackrabbits became a defensive juggernaut in the FCS. In 2022, they led the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 13.9 points per game.
Even more impressive? They held seven opponents to 10 points or fewer.
That marked their second straight year atop the national scoring defense rankings - a testament to both scheme and execution.
When Bobbit made the jump to Washington State, the production followed. The Cougars finished the season ranked 27th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 20.2 points per game. That’s no small feat in the offense-heavy Pac-12.
Now he’ll bring that same defensive mindset to Ames, where Iowa State is preparing for a new era following the departure of longtime defensive coordinator Jon Heacock and the end of the program’s signature 3-3-5 scheme. Bobbit’s familiarity with Rogers’ system - and his ability to adapt it to different levels of competition - makes him a natural fit to help reshape the Cyclones’ defensive identity.
This hire isn’t just about continuity between coach and coordinator - it’s about building something new on a foundation of trust, shared philosophy, and proven success. And as Iowa State turns the page, Bobbit’s track record suggests he’s ready to write the next chapter.