TOLEDO, Ohio — The University of Toledo has officially turned the page on its football program, naming longtime college coach Mike Jacobs as the Rockets’ new head football coach.
Jacobs, a Maumee native and 24-year collegiate coaching veteran, steps into the role following a decade-long run as a head coach marked by consistent winning and postseason success at multiple levels of college football. He becomes the 28th head coach in Toledo football history.
Over 10 seasons as a head coach, Jacobs compiled a 94–23 career record, one of the highest winning percentages among active Division I and Division II coaches. His teams never posted a losing season and regularly contended for conference titles and playoff berths.
Most recently, Jacobs led Mercer University to back-to-back Southern Conference championships and multiple appearances in the FCS playoffs. His Mercer teams were known for balanced, high-powered offenses and nationally ranked defenses, helping elevate the program into the national spotlight.
Prior to Mercer, Jacobs guided Lenoir-Rhyne and Notre Dame College (Ohio) to conference championships and deep postseason runs, including multiple trips to the NCAA Division II semifinals. Across his career, his teams have won seven conference titles and made six NCAA playoff appearances.
Jacobs also brings deep Ohio roots to the position. A former offensive lineman at Ohio State, he played under John Cooper and Jim Tressel and appeared in more than 30 games during his Buckeyes career. He later earned degrees in education from Ohio State and Purdue before beginning his coaching career.
University leaders cited Jacobs’ on-field success, player development, and academic emphasis as key factors in the hire. His teams have consistently posted strong team GPAs while producing All-Americans, all-conference selections, and players who went on to professional football careers.
Jacobs was formally introduced to the Toledo community during a public news conference Friday at Savage Arena, where he emphasized his excitement about returning to Northwest Ohio and building the next chapter of Rocket Football.
He and his wife, Lacey, have two sons.
Discover more from River Rat Country
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.