- DIVISION II -

Lenoir-Rhyne coach Mike Jacobs takes Mercer job

Jacobs posted a 32-9 record in four seasons at the Hickory school

Published

January 18, 2024

Mike Jacobs has accepted the head coaching job at FCS Mercer, Lenoir-Rhyne announced Thursday. Photo courtesy Lenoir-Rhyne athletics.

Mike Jacobs, who led Lenoir-Rhyne to a 32-9 record over the past four years — including a 13-2 mark this past fall en route to a Division II semifinals appearance — has accepted the head coaching job at Mercer.

Lenoir-Rhyne announced Jacobs’ resignation from the program Thursday morning. The Bears opening becomes the sixth in the state of North Carolina during this coaching carousel cycle. Jacobs is the second coach from the Old North State to take a job in the FCS Southern Conference. Tre Lamb moved from Gardner-Webb to East Tennessee State at the conclusion of the ’23 campaign in late November.

“On behalf of my wife Lacey and my boys Luke and Knox, we would like to send our sincere appreciation to the players who have given everything on the field for us,” Jacobs said in a release. “To the LR community and city of Hickory, we will be forever grateful for the way our family was taken in and cared for in our time here. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you and Go Bears.”

Lenoir-Rhyne won the South Atlantic Conference title this past season under Jacobs’ leadership, then went on to capture three D2 playoff victories in convincing fashion. The Bears, who won a road playoff contest for the first time, fell to eventual national champion Harding in the semis and ended up fourth one of the major D2 national rankings.

The team’s 13 wins tied the Lenoir-Rhyne single-season record. The Bears were our NC Football News Fabulous 14 champion, designating them as the top team from the state across all divisions.

Jacobs’ .780 win percentage is the third-highest by a Lenoir-Rhyne coach, the school reported. He has a career record of 74-17, counting his time at Notre Dame College.

“I would like to thank Coach Jacobs for his leadership and the positive impact he’s had on our program, our players, and the broader LR Community,” said Vice President for Athletics Kim Pate. “He has done an outstanding job leading our football program over his four seasons and developing our student-athletes on and off the field. He had one of the most successful seasons in program history this past fall and has a bright future. We wish him, his wife Lacey and his children Knox and Luke the best in the future.”

Lenoir-Rhyne announced that it will begin a national search immediately for Jacobs’ replacement.

Like Lenoir-Rhyne, Mercer – located in Macon, Ga. – is also nicknamed Bears. Mercer finished 9-4 this past season, beating Gardner-Webb in the playoffs, before falling to eventual FCS champion South Dakota State. Jacobs replaces Drew Cronic, who left Mercer earlier this month to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Navy. Cronic also coached at Lenoir-Rhyne (2018-19).

“Our goal throughout this process was to find not only a leader with a track record of success, but also one who will continue to build on the success that our program has already experienced,” Mercer athletics director Jim Cole said in a release. Mike Jacobs shares our values and our vision for Mercer Football, but also think that he is a leader that young men will want to play for.”

Jacobs’ new team will open the season Aug. 29 against Presbyterian. The Mercer Bears host Western Carolina and will play at Alabama in November.

“My family and I are humbled to be joining the Mercer University Football family,” Jacobs said. “Mercer is an elite institution that has competed at the highest level both on the field and in the classroom. We look forward to immersing ourselves in both the campus community and the city of Macon. Go Bears!”

NC Coaching Carousel Tracker

SCHOOL	2023 COACH	REASON VACANT	DATE VACANT	2024 COACH	HIRED
St. Augustine’s (D2)	Howard Feggins	mid-season firing	10/13/23	Interim: Jody Owens
Wingate (D2)	Joe Reich	moved to AD post at Wingate	11/14/23	Rashaan Jordan	11/14/23
Duke (FBS)	Mike Elko	hired at Texas A&M	11/27/23	Manny Diaz	12/8/23
Gardner-Webb (FCS)	Tre Lamb	hired at East Tennessee State	11/27/23	Cris Reisert	12/11/23
Campbell (FCS)	Mike Minter	resigned	12/18/23	Braxton Harris
Lenoir-Rhyne	Mike Jacobs	hired at Mercer	01/18/23