Jason Eck, a renowned football coach with an impressive track record, has made significant strides in leading various teams to new heights. His ability to turn around struggling programs and build winning cultures is truly remarkable. Eck's journey from coaching at different levels to becoming the head coach at the University of New Mexico is a story of dedication and success.

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Jason Eck's Impact at the University of Idaho

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jason Eck has led the University of Idaho football program to remarkable feats. In just three seasons, he has guided the Vandals to national rankings and FCS playoffs appearances. Under his leadership, the team has achieved consecutive playoff berths, including reaching the quarterfinals in the past two seasons. Prior to his arrival, the Vandals had only two winning seasons in 22 years. Eck's recruitment efforts, teaching skills, and strong culture have been key factors in the program's success. Idaho's win total has increased each season under his guidance.During the 2024 season, despite losing key players to graduation or the transfer portal, Eck led the Vandals to a 10-4 record and a second straight FCS Playoff quarterfinal appearance. They started the season by giving a tough fight to undefeated No. 1 Oregon, trailing only 14-17 in the fourth quarter before losing 14-24. Eck then led the Vandals to a win over Wyoming in Laramie, 17-13. After that, they rolled off five straight wins to end the regular season, despite losing their starting quarterback to injury. Three of Idaho's four losses on the season were to teams ranked No. 1 in the polls.In 2023, with Gevani McCoy at quarterback, the Vandals improved to 9-4 and finished 6-2 in the Big Sky, tying for second place. They played two FBS programs, losing a close game to California 31-17 but defeating Nevada 33-6 in Reno. The Vandals went 4-2 against ranked opponents and advanced to the FCS Quarterfinals. Idaho ranked in the Top 20 in several categories, including passing efficiency, scoring offense, total defense, red zone offense, net punting, punt returns, kickoff returns, and time of possession.Two players, receiver Hayden Hatten and defensive back Marcus Harris, were named All-Americans, marking Hatten's second straight All-American nod.In his first season as head coach in 2022, Eck led the Vandals to a 7-5 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the Big Sky Conference, finishing third. They had wins over rival No. 3 Montana for the first time since 1999 and broke the 40-point mark five times. The team qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2016 and just the fourth time since 1995.Overall, in his three seasons with Idaho, Eck coached 16 First Team All-Big Sky players, 12 Second Team All-Big Sky players, four Third Team All-Big Sky players, and 16 Honorable Mention All-Big Sky players.

Jason Eck's Coaching Career at Different Levels

Before becoming Idaho's head coach, Eck spent six seasons with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. He served as the offensive line coach and the final three as the offensive coordinator. In 2019, he was named the American Football Coaches' Association FCS Assistant Coach of the Year. At South Dakota State, he helped lead the Jackrabbits to three FCS Playoff semifinal appearances in four seasons and a national championship game appearance in the spring 2021 season. In three years as the offensive coordinator, his teams averaged 32.5 points per game, including 37.5 in his final season in 2021. The Jackrabbits were eighth in scoring offense, seventh in team passing efficiency, and eighth in rushing offense behind the FCS' leading rusher, Pierre Strong.In the 2021 spring season, freshman quarterback Mark Gronowski was the runner-up for the Jerry Rice Award before being injured in the National Championship game. Despite missing Gronowski, the Jackrabbits only lost by 2 points. The 2021 spring team showed Eck's experience as an offensive line coach as they were seventh in the FCS in rushing and fourth in tackles for loss allowed. Sophomore offensive tackle Garret Greenfield was a near-consensus All-America selection, and sophomore guard Mason McCormick also received All-America recognition.Eck served as the offensive line coach for the Jackrabbits from 2016-18. During his first season, SDSU had one of the most prolific offenses in the MVFC and the FCS, posting averages of 33.2 points and 437.5 yards of total offense per game. In league contests, they ranked second in allowing only 11 total sacks and first in five different offensive categories.Before South Dakota State, Eck was the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator at Montana State in 2015. The Bobcats were 18th in the FCS for rushing offense and 23rd in sacks allowed. MSU was third in the FCS for scoring offense during his one season in Bozeman.He was the offensive coordinator for the record-setting offense at Minnesota State, Mankato during back-to-back Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championships in 2013 and 2014. He served as the offensive line coach in 2013 and added offensive coordinator duties in 2014 as the Mavericks advanced to the NCAA Division II championship game. The 2014 season saw Mankato finish 14th in Division II in rushing offense.Eck has also served coaching stints at Western Illinois (2012), Hampton (2011), Ball State (2009-10), and Winona State (2007-08). He had a previous stop at Idaho as an assistant coach from 2004-06.A 1999 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Eck played on the Badgers' 1998 Big Ten Championship team that went on to win the Rose Bowl. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin under head coach Barry Alvarez and later moved on to Colorado.Eck and his wife Kimberly have five children: Quentin, Jaxton, Palmer, Maverick, and Lola. Kimberly is on the Board of Directors of the American Football Coaches Wives Association.