Chadron State College Athletics

Head Coach Jay Long returned to his alma mater ahead of the 2012 season and will begin his 15th season at the helm of the Chadron State football program in 2026.

The 2025 season marked one of the top turnarounds of Long’s tenure. Chadron State finished 8-4 after going 3-8 the previous season, returning the Eagles to the NCAA Division II Playoffs and reestablishing the program as one of the top teams in the RMAC. For his efforts, Long was named both the RMAC Coach of the Year and the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year. He was also one of only five finalists for AFCA Division II National Coach of the Year. 

Long enters the 2026 season with a 79-68 record at Chadron State and a 94-83 overall record in 17 seasons as a collegiate head coach. In his first season leading the Eagles in 2012, Chadron State went 9-3 and qualified for the NCAA Division II Playoffs. However, that season wins were later nullified due to NCAA sanctions created by the previous administration.

Long is the second-winningest coach in Chadron State football history and has led the Eagles to two NCAA Division II Playoff appearances. During his tenure, CSC has had five players get opportunities in NFL Mini Camps, including one NFL Draft pick, 13 All-Americans, 80 All-RMAC selections, and four RMAC Players of the Year. 

A consistent hallmark of Long’s program has been success in the classroom. Under his leadership, the Eagles have earned the RMAC Brechler Award four times, which is awarded to the football program with the highest team GPA in the RMAC. The team GPA has consistently been above 3.0 for 14 years, and the program has produced 14 Academic All-Americans.  

Long’s program also emphasizes the importance of community service and student-athlete development. His teams average approximately 500-700 hours of community service each year.

Long has been responsible for steadying the program with a focus on tradition, culture, toughness, and community. His approach emphasizes excellence on the field, character development off the field, and a commitment to ensuring every student-athlete earns a college degree.  

Another hallmark of Long’s tenure is offensive line play. He has produced 4 All Americans, and numerous All-RMAC selections. In 2013, offensive guard Garrett Gilkey was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Draft, becoming the first Chadron State player drafted since 1989.

Long is the 25th head football coach in Chadron State history and one of only three former Eagle football players to later serve as head coach. A former CSC standout himself, Long is a member of the Chadron State Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a two-time All-RMAC selection at center, earned Farm Team All-American honors, and also wrestled at heavyweight, qualifying for the national tournament. He graduated from Chadron State in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and later earned a master’s degree in education from Wayne State College in 2003.  

Before returning to Chadron State, Long spent three seasons as the head coach at Black Hills State University from 2009-11. He was promoted to head coach at age 32 and guided the Yellow Jackets through their transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, finishing 15-15 during that stretch. Prior to becoming head coach, Long served as an assistant coach at Black Hills State from 2003-09, working as offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, and strength and conditioning coach.  

Long has also been active in leadership roles within college football. He is a 25-year member of the AFCA, has served as RMAC Football Chair, AFCA All-American Chair, AFCA ranking member, and AFCA Division II Coaches Connection RMAC representative.  

Long and his wife, Kresi, have three children: Kaelee, Alivia, and Carson.