Toledo hires Mercer's Mike Jacobs as head coach

Mike Jacobs was named the head coach of the Toledo Rockets on Wednesday, replacing Jason Candle.

Jacobs, 46, spent the past two seasons as the coach at Mercer, compiling a 20-6 record (9-3 in 2025) with two trips to the FCS playoffs.

He has an overall record of 94-23 (.803) including stints at Lenoir-Rhyne from 2020-23 and Notre Dame (Ohio) from 2016-19.

"Mike Jacobs is one of the winningest active head coaches in the nation and an extraordinary fit for Rocket Football," Toledo athletic director Bryan B. Blair said in a news release. "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."

Candle was named the head coach at UConn on Saturday after compiling an 81-44 record at Toledo since 2015.

Jacobs is an Ohio native who was an offensive lineman and long snapper at Ohio State from 1997-2001.

"My family and I are humbled and honored to lead the University of Toledo's storied football program," Jacobs said. "We are looking forward to being a part of Team Toledo and helping this program achieve new heights."

He was named the Southern Conference's Coach of the Year in both seasons at Mercer. The Bears' season ended on Saturday with a loss to South Dakota in the second round of the FCS playoffs.