South Dakota State University head football coach John Stiegelmeier has announced the hiring of former Jackrabbit student-athlete Zach Lujan to coach the team’s running backs.

Lujan, who helped lead the Jackrabbits to three consecutive Football Championship Subdivision playoff berths as a player, began his transition from the playing field to the sidelines as SDSU’s offensive quality control during the 2017 season.

A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Lujan played quarterback for the Jackrabbits from 2014-16, compiling a 10-5 record as the team’s starting quarterback. He was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team in 2014 and was elected a team captain for both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Lujan replaces John Johnson, who resigned over the summer to pursue other professional opportunities.