Jack Jarnigan returns to his alma mater for hte 2024 season as tight ends coach after spending the last two seasons on staff at New Mexico State University (FBS) as an offensive line graduate assistant under head coach Jerry Kill. His first season in Las Cruces in 2022 saw the program win the Quick Lane Bowl, completing a turnaround after the Aggies had gone 2-10 the previous season. New Mexico State boasted a 10-5 overall record and a 7-1 mark in Conference USA play in 2023, a season that culminated with appearances in the Conference USA Championship and the Isleta New Mexico Bowl.

Prior to joining the Aggies, Jarnigan served as the offensive line coach, tight ends coach and running backs coach at Wisconsin-River Falls (Division III). UW-River Falls boasted an offense that led its conference and ranked third nationally in 2021. Jarnigan oversaw three all-conference selections, including First Team All-American tight end Ben Beise, who inked a training camp deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jarnigan also helped lead the Falcons to their first ever postseason win.

Jarnigan spent time on the defensive side of the ball at Marian University (NAIA) in Indianapolis, where he oversaw the development of two first team all-conference defensive linemen and led a position group that finished second in NAIA in sacks per game during the 2021 spring season. Jarnigan began his coaching career at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. as a quality control coach, working with the offensive line. 

Jarnigan was a four-year starter at Valpo, where he was a fixture on the offensive line from 2016-2019 after redshirting as a true freshman in 2015. The Los Gatos, Calif. native was a fifth-year senior and team captain during Fox’s maiden voyage as Valpo head coach in 2019, when he was named All-PFL Honorable Mention. During his time with the Brown & Gold, Jarnigan spearheaded the team’s community service efforts and earned both his undergraduate degree in sport management (December 2018) and his master’s in sports administration (December 2019). 

What They’re Saying About Coach Jarnigan

Andrew Mitchell, New Mexico State Offensive Line Coach: “Coach Jarnigan played a big role in us turning around the program at NMSU. He brings great passion and energy to his work and I know he’ll do the same for his alma mater.”

David Elson, Wake Forest Defensive Analyst: “Jack is one of the best young coaches I have ever worked with and he comes by it honestly because he is from a great coaching family. Valparaiso football got better with the addition of Jack. He will rise fast in our profession.”