Mike Jacobs joins Toledo after compiling the fourth-highest winning percentage among active Division I/II head coaches over the past 10 years.
Mike Jacobs Named Head Football Coach at Toledo
12/10/2025 10:55:00 AM | Football
Jacobs brings proven record of success over 10 years as a college head coach
TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo has hired Mike Jacobs as its head football coach, Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair announced today.
A 24-year collegiate coaching veteran with a proven track record of success, Jacobs brings championship pedigree and a reputation for building elite programs at Mercer, Lenoir-Rhyne and Notre Dame College (Ohio). His career head coaching record of 94-23 (.803) ranks him fourth in winning percentage among the top active coaches in NCAA Divisions I and II.
"Mike Jacobs is one of the winningest active head coaches in the nation and an extraordinary fit for Rocket Football," said Blair. "Across 10 seasons as a head coach, he has compiled a remarkable record. He has earned five conference Coach of the Year honors, won seven conference championships, and never had a losing season—all while leading programs that consistently post a 3.0 or higher team GPA.
"From the moment we began this process, it was evident that Mike embodies the toughness, humility, integrity and relentless competitive drive that have long defined Toledo Football. His commitment to developing young men, his blueprint for sustained excellence, and his sharp football mind make him exactly the kind of leader we want guiding this program. We are thrilled to welcome Mike and his family back home to Northwest Ohio, and we look forward to the impact he will make on our student-athletes, our campus, and our community."
Jacobs, a Maumee, Ohio native, led Mercer to a 20-6 record (15-1 Southern Conference) and two trips to the NCAA-Division I FCS playoffs over the past two seasons. He was named SoCon Coach of the Year in both 2024 and 2025.
"My family and I are humbled and honored to lead the University of Toledo's storied football program," said Jacobs. "We are looking forward to being a part of Team Toledo and helping this program achieve new heights."
In 10 seasons as a head coach, Jacobs' teams have won seven conference titles and made six appearances in the NCAA FCS or Division II playoffs. Jacobs, who played offensive line at Ohio State from 1997-2000, has won five conference Coach of the Year honors and was a finalist in 2024 and 2025 for the Eddie Robinson Award as the top head coach in the FCS.
Jacobs' teams have had at least eight wins in every season he has served as head coach (not including the COVID-shortened season in 2020). He has mentored 13 All-Americans, 17 all-region selections, and 113 all-conference performers, while also producing seven Academic All-Americans. His programs have developed NFL talent, including Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver Dareke Young and former Notre Dame standout Jaleel McLaughlin, a two-time Harlon Hill Award finalist.
Jacobs' two seasons at Mercer were historic. In 2024, he guided the Bears to their first-ever conference championship and an 11-3 record, advancing to the NCAA FCS Playoffs quarterfinals. Mercer's defense dominated nationally, leading all 123 FCS programs in rushing defense (70.8), sacks (3.29), forced turnovers (34) and interceptions (25). Offensively, the Bears averaged 30.6 points per game, highlighted by a record-breaking rushing season from Dwayne McGee, who ran for 1,191 yards and eight touchdowns.
In 2025, Mercer capped another great season by finishing 9-3 overall and 8-0 in Southern Conference play, securing back-to-back league titles and another berth in the FCS Playoffs. Mercer ranked third in the FCS in total offense (485.2 yards/game) while averaging 36.2 points per contest. The Bears produced 13 all-conference selections, and climbed as high as No. 6 in the national rankings, solidifying their status as one of the premier programs in FCS football.
Prior to his time at Mercer, Jacobs engineered success at Lenoir-Rhyne, where his teams went 32-9 from 2020-23, captured a South Atlantic Conference title, and reached the NCAA Division II Semifinals. In 2023, Lenoir-Rhyne went 13-2 and secured its first NCAA postseason road victory. Jacobs was named SAC Coach of the Year for the Bears, who were ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation.
Jacobs first made his mark as head coach at Notre Dame College (Ohio), leading the Falcons to a 42-8 record and two Mountain East Conference championships from 2016-19. His 2018 team went 13-1 and advanced to the NCAA Division II Semifinals, earning MEC Coach of the Year honors for Jacobs. The Falcons' 2019 squad went 12-2 and reached the NCAA quarterfinals.
A former offensive lineman and long snapper at Ohio State, Jacobs played under legendary coaches John Cooper and Jim Tressel, appearing in more than 30 games and two Sugar Bowls. He earned his bachelor's degree in education from Ohio State and completed a graduate degree in education at Purdue.
Prior to becoming a head coach, Jacobs served 14 seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan, Wilmington, Purdue, California (Pa.) and Notre Dame College. He was the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame for one season prior to moving into the top spot for the Falcons.
Jacobs and his wife, Lacey, are the proud parents of two sons, Luke and Knox.
Jacobs will be introduced as Toledo's head football coach in a news conference at Savage Arena on Friday, Dec. 12 at 11:00 a.m. The event is open to the public.
Mike Jacobs Career Coaching Highlights
Highest Winning Percentage Among Active Division I/II Head Coaches
Minimum of eight years as head coach
What they are saying about Mike Jacobs
"I'm excited to welcome Coach Mike Jacobs to the University of Toledo. Mike is a leader who is dedicated to the development of student-athletes and dedicated to their future success, and he knows how to win. His approach to coaching aligns with our Rocket values. He knows how to build a program rooted in character, accountability, and student success, and I'm honored to have him here to represent us on a national stage. I look forward to the energy, discipline, and direction he will bring to Rocket Football, and I'm proud to have him join UToledo and our community."
- Dr. James Holloway, University of Toledo President
"The Jacobs family demonstrates an unwavering commitment to community. Mike and Lacey are grounded, gracious, and guided by a deep sense of responsibility to invest in the people and places around them. Their impact reaches far beyond the field, and we are deeply grateful for the contributions they have made in the lives of our student athletes and in the life of Mercer University."
- Dr. Penny L. Elkins, Mercer University President
"I have known Mike since college and have admired his journey. He has won at every stop along the way and has elevated every place he was able to lead. Mike's teams have always been tough and violent, and his players love his approach. The players and fans at Toledo are fortunate to have the Jacobs family come home and lead the next generation of Toledo Rockets!"
- Alex Golesh, Auburn University Head Football Coach
"Congratulations to Mike Jacobs on his outstanding achievement in being named Head Football Coach at the University of Toledo. This honor reflects his years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence both on and off the field. He has always led with integrity, passion, and a determination that inspires everyone. His journey, marked by discipline, growth, and perseverance, has prepared him for this moment and positioned him to make a difference and leave an impact on the young men he will lead at the University of Toledo. May this new chapter at UT be filled with success, purpose, and continued excellence. The best is yet to come".
- Ted Ginn, Sr., Head Football Coach, Glenville (Ohio) High School
"Mike Jacobs is a developer of men, an elite talent evaluator, and an outstanding coach who is a living representation of 419 football. He is a winner who has earned everything he has accomplished with his blue-collar mentality. I've had the privilege of seeing his rise in the college coaching ranks from California (PA) and Notre Dame College to Lenoir Rhyne and Mercer University. What has been consistent is that a Mike Jacobs coached football team is a football team built to meet a higher standard. He is a true teacher with a knack for meeting his players (and staff ) where they are, while pushing them to exceed even their own expectations. Dominance, at any level, is no coincidence and I have no doubt with Coach Mike Jacobs at the helm, the University of Toledo will follow a growing trend of college football programs reaching new heights by turning the reigns over to proven, consistent winners."
- Andrew "Hawk" Hawkins, former Toledo Rocket and NFL wide receiver, and current ESPN analyst
Mike Jacobs' Personal File
Hometown: Maumee, Ohio
High School: Maumee High School
Family: Wife Lacey, sons Luke and Knox
Education: Bachelor's degree in education from Ohio State in 2001; master's degree in education from Purdue in 2008
Mike Jacobs' Head Coaching Record
At Notre Dame College (NCAA Division II / Mountain East Conference)
At Lenoir-Rhyne (NCAA Division II / South Atlantic Conference)
At Mercer (NCAA Division I FCS / Southern Conference)
Coach of the Year
Assistant Coaching Experience
Playing Experience
Played four seasons (1997-00) and was a two-time letterwinner on the offensive line at Ohio State for coaches John Cooper and Jim Tressel. Saw action in the 1998 and 1999 Sugar Bowls.
A 24-year collegiate coaching veteran with a proven track record of success, Jacobs brings championship pedigree and a reputation for building elite programs at Mercer, Lenoir-Rhyne and Notre Dame College (Ohio). His career head coaching record of 94-23 (.803) ranks him fourth in winning percentage among the top active coaches in NCAA Divisions I and II.
"Mike Jacobs is one of the winningest active head coaches in the nation and an extraordinary fit for Rocket Football," said Blair. "Across 10 seasons as a head coach, he has compiled a remarkable record. He has earned five conference Coach of the Year honors, won seven conference championships, and never had a losing season—all while leading programs that consistently post a 3.0 or higher team GPA.
"From the moment we began this process, it was evident that Mike embodies the toughness, humility, integrity and relentless competitive drive that have long defined Toledo Football. His commitment to developing young men, his blueprint for sustained excellence, and his sharp football mind make him exactly the kind of leader we want guiding this program. We are thrilled to welcome Mike and his family back home to Northwest Ohio, and we look forward to the impact he will make on our student-athletes, our campus, and our community."
Jacobs, a Maumee, Ohio native, led Mercer to a 20-6 record (15-1 Southern Conference) and two trips to the NCAA-Division I FCS playoffs over the past two seasons. He was named SoCon Coach of the Year in both 2024 and 2025.
"My family and I are humbled and honored to lead the University of Toledo's storied football program," said Jacobs. "We are looking forward to being a part of Team Toledo and helping this program achieve new heights."
In 10 seasons as a head coach, Jacobs' teams have won seven conference titles and made six appearances in the NCAA FCS or Division II playoffs. Jacobs, who played offensive line at Ohio State from 1997-2000, has won five conference Coach of the Year honors and was a finalist in 2024 and 2025 for the Eddie Robinson Award as the top head coach in the FCS.
Jacobs' teams have had at least eight wins in every season he has served as head coach (not including the COVID-shortened season in 2020). He has mentored 13 All-Americans, 17 all-region selections, and 113 all-conference performers, while also producing seven Academic All-Americans. His programs have developed NFL talent, including Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver Dareke Young and former Notre Dame standout Jaleel McLaughlin, a two-time Harlon Hill Award finalist.
Jacobs' two seasons at Mercer were historic. In 2024, he guided the Bears to their first-ever conference championship and an 11-3 record, advancing to the NCAA FCS Playoffs quarterfinals. Mercer's defense dominated nationally, leading all 123 FCS programs in rushing defense (70.8), sacks (3.29), forced turnovers (34) and interceptions (25). Offensively, the Bears averaged 30.6 points per game, highlighted by a record-breaking rushing season from Dwayne McGee, who ran for 1,191 yards and eight touchdowns.
In 2025, Mercer capped another great season by finishing 9-3 overall and 8-0 in Southern Conference play, securing back-to-back league titles and another berth in the FCS Playoffs. Mercer ranked third in the FCS in total offense (485.2 yards/game) while averaging 36.2 points per contest. The Bears produced 13 all-conference selections, and climbed as high as No. 6 in the national rankings, solidifying their status as one of the premier programs in FCS football.
Prior to his time at Mercer, Jacobs engineered success at Lenoir-Rhyne, where his teams went 32-9 from 2020-23, captured a South Atlantic Conference title, and reached the NCAA Division II Semifinals. In 2023, Lenoir-Rhyne went 13-2 and secured its first NCAA postseason road victory. Jacobs was named SAC Coach of the Year for the Bears, who were ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation.
Jacobs first made his mark as head coach at Notre Dame College (Ohio), leading the Falcons to a 42-8 record and two Mountain East Conference championships from 2016-19. His 2018 team went 13-1 and advanced to the NCAA Division II Semifinals, earning MEC Coach of the Year honors for Jacobs. The Falcons' 2019 squad went 12-2 and reached the NCAA quarterfinals.
A former offensive lineman and long snapper at Ohio State, Jacobs played under legendary coaches John Cooper and Jim Tressel, appearing in more than 30 games and two Sugar Bowls. He earned his bachelor's degree in education from Ohio State and completed a graduate degree in education at Purdue.
Prior to becoming a head coach, Jacobs served 14 seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan, Wilmington, Purdue, California (Pa.) and Notre Dame College. He was the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame for one season prior to moving into the top spot for the Falcons.
Jacobs and his wife, Lacey, are the proud parents of two sons, Luke and Knox.
Jacobs will be introduced as Toledo's head football coach in a news conference at Savage Arena on Friday, Dec. 12 at 11:00 a.m. The event is open to the public.
Mike Jacobs Career Coaching Highlights
- 24 years as a college football coach
- 10 years as a head coach
- Career record of 94-23 (.803) and 74-12 (.860) in conference games
- Fourth-best winning percentage (.803) among all active Division I and Division II head coaches over the past 10 years (minimum eight years as head coach)
- At least eight wins in every season as head coach (except for COVID-shortened season of 2020)
- Seven conference championships
- Six appearances NCAA playoffs (2 in Division FCS, 4 in Division II)
- Five-time conference Coach of the Year, including 2024 and 2025 SoCon Coach of the Year
- 2024 and 2025 finalist for Eddie Robinson Award as top coach in NCAA Division I FCS
- 2018 National Coach of the Year by Don Hansen's Football Gazette
- 13 All-America selections, 17 All-Region selections (through 2024 season)
- 113 all-conference honorees
- Seven Academic All-America selections
Highest Winning Percentage Among Active Division I/II Head Coaches
| Coach, School (Years) | Record | Pct. |
| Ryan Day, Ohio State (8) | 82-11 | .882 |
| Kalen DeBoer, Alabama (11) | 124-19 | .867 |
| Kirby Smart, Georgia (10) | 117-20 | .854 |
| Mike Jacobs, Toledo (10) | 94-23 | .803 |
| Curt Cignetti, Indiana (15) | 143-37 | .794 |
| Dabo Swinney, Clemson (18) | 187-52 | .782 |
| Lincoln Riley, USC (9) | 90-27 | .769 |
| Josh Heupel, Tennessee (8) | 73-27 | .730 |
| Bob Chesney, James Madison (16) | 132-51 | .721 |
What they are saying about Mike Jacobs
"I'm excited to welcome Coach Mike Jacobs to the University of Toledo. Mike is a leader who is dedicated to the development of student-athletes and dedicated to their future success, and he knows how to win. His approach to coaching aligns with our Rocket values. He knows how to build a program rooted in character, accountability, and student success, and I'm honored to have him here to represent us on a national stage. I look forward to the energy, discipline, and direction he will bring to Rocket Football, and I'm proud to have him join UToledo and our community."
- Dr. James Holloway, University of Toledo President
"The Jacobs family demonstrates an unwavering commitment to community. Mike and Lacey are grounded, gracious, and guided by a deep sense of responsibility to invest in the people and places around them. Their impact reaches far beyond the field, and we are deeply grateful for the contributions they have made in the lives of our student athletes and in the life of Mercer University."
- Dr. Penny L. Elkins, Mercer University President
"I have known Mike since college and have admired his journey. He has won at every stop along the way and has elevated every place he was able to lead. Mike's teams have always been tough and violent, and his players love his approach. The players and fans at Toledo are fortunate to have the Jacobs family come home and lead the next generation of Toledo Rockets!"
- Alex Golesh, Auburn University Head Football Coach
"Congratulations to Mike Jacobs on his outstanding achievement in being named Head Football Coach at the University of Toledo. This honor reflects his years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence both on and off the field. He has always led with integrity, passion, and a determination that inspires everyone. His journey, marked by discipline, growth, and perseverance, has prepared him for this moment and positioned him to make a difference and leave an impact on the young men he will lead at the University of Toledo. May this new chapter at UT be filled with success, purpose, and continued excellence. The best is yet to come".
- Ted Ginn, Sr., Head Football Coach, Glenville (Ohio) High School
"Mike Jacobs is a developer of men, an elite talent evaluator, and an outstanding coach who is a living representation of 419 football. He is a winner who has earned everything he has accomplished with his blue-collar mentality. I've had the privilege of seeing his rise in the college coaching ranks from California (PA) and Notre Dame College to Lenoir Rhyne and Mercer University. What has been consistent is that a Mike Jacobs coached football team is a football team built to meet a higher standard. He is a true teacher with a knack for meeting his players (and staff ) where they are, while pushing them to exceed even their own expectations. Dominance, at any level, is no coincidence and I have no doubt with Coach Mike Jacobs at the helm, the University of Toledo will follow a growing trend of college football programs reaching new heights by turning the reigns over to proven, consistent winners."
- Andrew "Hawk" Hawkins, former Toledo Rocket and NFL wide receiver, and current ESPN analyst
Mike Jacobs' Personal File
Hometown: Maumee, Ohio
High School: Maumee High School
Family: Wife Lacey, sons Luke and Knox
Education: Bachelor's degree in education from Ohio State in 2001; master's degree in education from Purdue in 2008
Mike Jacobs' Head Coaching Record
At Notre Dame College (NCAA Division II / Mountain East Conference)
| Year | School | W/L | Pct. | Conf. | Post-Season |
| 2016 | Notre Dame (Ohio) | 9-2 | .818 | 8-2 | |
| 2017 | Notre Dame (Ohio) | 8-3 | .727 | 8-2 | |
| 2018 | Notre Dame (Ohio) | 13-1 | .929 | 10-1 | MEC Champions, NCAA II Semifinals |
| 2019 | Notre Dame (Ohio) | 12-2 | .857 | 9-1 | MEC Champions, NCAA II Quarterfinals |
| Totals | 42-8 | .850 | 35-6 |
At Lenoir-Rhyne (NCAA Division II / South Atlantic Conference)
| Year | School | W/L | Pct. | Conf. | Post-Season |
| 2020 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 3-1 | .750 | 3-0 | SAC Division Champions |
| 2021 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 8-3 | .727 | 6-2 | NCAA Division II playoffs |
| 2022 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 8-3 | .727 | 7-2 | SAC Division Co-Champions |
| 2023 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 13-2 | .867 | 8-1 | SAC Champions, SAC Division Champions, NCAA II Semifinals |
| Totals | 32-9 | .780 | 24-5 |
At Mercer (NCAA Division I FCS / Southern Conference)
| Year | School | W/L | Pct. | Conf. | Post-Season |
| 2024 | Mercer | 11-3 | .786 | 7-1 | SoCon Champions; NCAA Quarterfinals |
| 2025 | Mercer | 9-3 | .750 | 8-0 | SoCon Champions; NCAA Second Round |
| Totals | 20-6 | .769 | 15-1 |
| Career Record | 94-23 | .803 | 74-12 |
Coach of the Year
| Year | School | Conference |
| 2018 | Notre Dame (Ohio) | Mountain East |
| 2019 | Notre Dame (Ohio) | Mountain East |
| 2023 | Lenoir-Rhyne | South Atlantic |
| 2024 | Mercer | Southern |
| 2025 | Mercer | Southern |
Assistant Coaching Experience
| Year | School | Position |
| 2002-03 | Eastern Michigan | Graduate Assistant Coach/Offensive Line |
| 2004 | Wilmington | Assistant Coach/Offensive Line |
| 2005-07 | Purdue | Graduate Assistant Coach/Offensive Line |
| 2008-13 | California (Pa.) | Assistant Coach/Defensive Line |
| 2014 | Notre Dame (Ohio) | Defensive Line |
| 2015 | Notre Dame (Ohio) | Defensive Coordinator |
Playing Experience
Played four seasons (1997-00) and was a two-time letterwinner on the offensive line at Ohio State for coaches John Cooper and Jim Tressel. Saw action in the 1998 and 1999 Sugar Bowls.
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