Mercer’s Mike Jacobs departs to take Toledo job

Mercer football coach Mike Jacobs is leaving to become the new coach at Toledo, the university’s athletic department announced Wednesday morning.

The announcement comes after ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported that Jacobs was working on a deal with Toledo earlier Wednesday morning via X.com. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports later posted that Toledo had agreed with Jacobs on a five-year contract.

“My family and I are humbled and honored to lead the University of Toledo’s storied football program,” Jacobs said in a release from Toledo Athletics. “We are looking forward to being a part of Team Toledo and helping this program achieve new heights.”

The head coaching spot at Toledo opened last week when Jason Candle, who spent nine seasons leading the Rockets, left to become the head coach at UConn.

Jacobs finished his second season at Mercer with a 9-3 record and a second consecutive Southern Conference championship after the Bears finished undefeated in the SoCon. Overall, Jacobs has posted a 20-6 record in his two seasons at Mercer and reached the FCS quarterfinals in 2024.

“Coach Jacobs has led the Mercer football program to unprecedented success over the last two years with back-to-back Southern Conference championships and we are incredibly grateful for his leadership,” Mercer athletic director Jim Cole said in a press release. “We want to thank him for the impact that he has had on Mercer, and we wish him and his family the very best. BearNation cannot thank him enough.”

Prior to arriving at Mercer, Jacobs put together a 74-17 record as a head coach at the now-defunct Notre Dame (Ohio) and Lenoir-Rhyne. Jacobs, a former Ohio State offensive lineman and Purdue offensive line coach, now has an 80.3% winning percentage in his head coaching career. He is a northern Ohio native and from the Toledo area.

Jacobs’ name has been brought up in head coaching searches in recent months. In March, Jacobs signed a contract extension through 2029 with Mercer.

Toledo, a member of the Mid-American Conference, has competed for MAC Championships in recent seasons. The Rockets won the conference title in 2022 and were runners-up in 2023. They finished the 2023 season 11-3 and appeared in the AP poll as high as No. 23.

The college football social media world was abuzz after Jacobs’ hiring was announced. One Toledo account on X.com called it “AN ABSOLUTE HOME RUN.” Others commented under Thamel’s post initially reporting the hire with glowing reviews of Jacobs. “Toledo hit the jackpot,” another user wrote.