The defensive coordinator for one of the nation’s most successful NAIA and NCAA Division II football programs has been named the new head football coach of the West Virginia State University Yellow Jackets.
Jon Anderson comes to Institute from the University of Sioux Falls (USF) where he has spent the past 11 years, including the past three as the Cougars’ defensive coordinator. He was introduced at a press conference today by WVSU’s Athletic Director Sean Loyd.
Anderson becomes the 13th head football coach in Yellow Jackets history.
“We are delighted that a coach of Jon’s caliber, with a solid focus on student academic success and a strong, proven record of winning, is joining the Yellow Jacket family,” said Brian O. Hemphill, WVSU president.
“Coach Anderson is a great fit for our football program at State,” added Athletic Director Sean Loyd. “Our student athletes, and really everyone here at West Virginia State, are ready to take football to the next level. Jon’s winning record speaks for itself, and we are confident he will bring that same level of success to our program.”
This past season, competing in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) as an NCAA Division II program, the Cougars went 9-2. In prior years, USF competed as an NAIA school and won the NAIA National Championship in 2006, 2008 and 2009, and was the national runner-up in 2007 and 2010.
Overall, the Cougars have posted a 134-26 record including a 21-5 playoff record with Anderson as part of the coaching staff. USF has dominated its conference opponents, winning 92 of its last 95 conference games. In 2009, the school posted a perfect 15-0 record in claiming its second consecutive NAIA national championship.
In 2012, Anderson’s defensive unit was among the conference leaders in scoring defense, surrendering only 20.2 points a game. The Cougars’ defense was also among the league leaders in forcing turnovers taking the ball away from opponents 29 times, including 23 interceptions.
The 2012 defensive unit built on the success of the 2011 team when the Cougars’ defense forced 21 turnovers and gave up just 21.6 points per game. During Anderson’s three years as defensive coordinator, the Cougars have posted a 27-7 record and have limited opponents to an average of 16 points per game.
Prior to being named the Cougars’ defensive coordinator, Anderson served eight years as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. In that role, he coached five All-Americans and eight All-Conference players.
Anderson played college football for four years at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, and coached the secondary at his alma mater during the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
Anderson moved to Madison, S.D., to join the Dakota State University staff as the linebackers and special teams coach for the 2001 season.
Anderson arrived at USF for the 2002 season and earned his master’s degree from South Dakota State University in 2003.
He and his wife, Amanda, have two sons, Trevor and Tyce.
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi-generational institution, located in Institute, WV. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service, and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.
