News

Long named head football coach at Chadron State

Feb 6, 2012

Jay Long, who has been at Black Hills State since 2003, has been hired as the head football coach at Chadron State College, athletic director Brad Smith announced Monday. (Courtesy Photo)

Jay Long

CHADRON – Jay Long has been hired as the head football coach at Chadron State College, athletic director Brad Smith announced Monday.

Long, 35, replaces Bill O’Boyle.

Long will be the 25^th head football coach at CSC and the third who also played for the Eagles. Orin Weymouth and Ruffus Trapp also played and coached for Chadron State but a former football player hasn’t coached for the school since 1937.

“We feel the search has enabled Chadron State College’s football program to move forward with an exceptional coach, family man and leader,” Smith said. “As a football player Jay’s intensity and love for the game was unbelievable and these characteristics have carried over into his coaching career. We’re happy to have a coach of his caliber at Chadron State.”  

Long has spent the last three seasons as the head coach at Black Hills State in Spearfish, S.D., where he has guided the Yellowjackets to a 15-15 record.

Prior to being the head coach, he was an assistant coach at the school from 2003-09. During that time he served as the offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and the strength and conditioning coach.

Long, who graduated from Chadron State College in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in science, was a two-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selection at center and also earned Farm Team All-American honors. He also wrestled at heavyweight and qualified for the national tournament for the Eagles.

For Long, a native of Sturgis, S.D., returning to his alma mater was an easy choice.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to coach where I played,” he said. “When I was in the interview I sat down in front of my old locker and it just felt right. When I had questions asked of me in regards to the program, it just felt right. The tradition at Chadron State speaks for itself. I’ve been part of three RMAC championships as a player and now I’m excited for the opportunity to coach and try to win them.”

Long said he intends to maintain Chadron State’s strong football tradition. The Eagles have won eight conference titles and have been one of the most consistent Division II programs in the country, having at least six wins in 19 of the last 20 seasons.

“I am a Chadron guy who can’t wait to build onto the traditions that were built by the previous coaches before me,” Long said. “Chadron is a great place and after talking to the team in my interview they are excited to have a coach and moving toward being the top team in the RMAC.

“I loved my experience at Chadron. It’s been such a successful program and I am very proud to be part of that as a player and now as a head coach. I’m going to bring effort with intensity and we’re going to play a Chadron State brand of football. It’s a hard thing to explain, but we’re going to outhit, outwork and outplay our opponents.”

A press conference to introduce Long is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Ballroom in the Student Center.

Live video will be streamed on the Chadron State College athletic website.

—Alex Helmbrecht, Sports Information Director