On Feb. 26, 2019, Jason Eck was promoted to offensive coordinator of the South Dakota State football team. Now, less than nine months later, he’s been named Football Championship Subdivision Assistant Coach of the Year Award by the American Football Coaches Association.

“The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-ath

lete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement,” according to AFCA.com.

Eck took over as offensive line coach in 2016 and was named run game coordinator following his first season on the sideline in Brookings.

The former Wisconsin offensive lineman’s latest promotion came after former offensive coordinator Eric Eidsness accepted the same position at Northern Illinois. Eck continues to coach the Jackrabbit offensive line, nicknamed the “605 Hogs,” along with his coordinator duties.

Award winners from the five divisions of college football will be honored during the AFCA’s annual convention Jan. 13, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee.