Story courtesy of the Toledo Sports Information Department

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.