South Dakota State Offensive Coordinator Eric Eidsness Discusses Xs and Os

Eidsness breaks down his offensive schemes and the chess match between offense and defense

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:34am

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in earthy green, orange, and blue tones, representing the complex interplay of a football play.A strategic breakdown of the chess match between offense and defense, as told through the cubist lens of a football play.Brookings Today

In the latest episode of the 'Jacks Chats' podcast, South Dakota State offensive coordinator Eric Eidsness sits down with host Matt Zimmer to dive deep into the intricacies of offensive football. Eidsness, who is in his second year of his third stint as the Jackrabbits' OC, discusses his approach to building schemes, scripting plays, soliciting feedback from players, and dealing with criticism from fans and media.

Why it matters

As one of the most experienced offensive coordinators in the FCS, Eidsness' insights provide a unique window into the strategic planning and in-game adjustments that go into running a successful college football offense. His ability to adapt his schemes to the strengths of players like Austin Sumner, Zach Zenner, Jake Wieneke, and Taryn Christion has helped make SDSU one of the most consistently productive offenses in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The details

Eidsness covers a wide range of topics with Zimmer, including the battle of wits between offense and defense, the process of scripting plays to start a game, and how he solicits feedback from players to continually refine his schemes. He also discusses the challenges of dealing with constant criticism from fans and media, which has become a reality for many offensive coordinators in the modern era of college football.

  • The podcast episode was recorded and published on April 3, 2026.

The players

Eric Eidsness

The offensive coordinator for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team, currently in his second year of his third stint in that role.

Matt Zimmer

The host of the 'Jacks Chats' podcast, which features interviews with South Dakota State football players and coaches.

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The takeaway

This episode of 'Jacks Chats' provides a rare, in-depth look at the strategic mind of one of the most respected offensive coordinators in the FCS. Eidsness' insights into the chess match between offense and defense, as well as the challenges of managing player feedback and external criticism, offer valuable lessons for any aspiring football coach or enthusiastic fan.