The South Dakota State to WSU migration trail has been established. Last Tuesday a source confirmed to the Spokesman-Review that SDSU quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Danny Freund has been hired as the new offensive coordinator for WSU.
The hiring marked the first public addition to new head coach Jimmy Rogers’ staff and opened the door for what is likely to be a string of staff moves that includes an insertion of several familiar faces for Rogers.
While Freund just worked one season alongside Rogers, being hired to his multi-coach role in January 2024, he quickly made strides in his first season in Brookings, South Dakota.
The Jackrabbits offense was fourth in the FCS in scoring and Freund contributed to an offense that was 12th in total offense and 236.1 yards rushing per game, good enough for third among FCS schools. Freund also coached a strong season out his starting quarterback, Mark Gronowski, who compiled 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions while totaling 2,719 passing yards.
Freund has extensive experience at the FCS level on the sidelines and on the field. Freund had roles as running backs, fullbacks and wide receivers coach at North Dakota before being promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2018. He coached for the last dozen years at UND.
Freund also served as team captain at UND in both 2007 and 2008, earning a 16-6 record as the Fighting Hawks’ starting quarterback.
Rogers’ first hire is replacing former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, widely considered one of the top rising offensive minds in college football. After utilizing an Air Raid offense that reached the top ten in the nation in both points and passing yards per game, Arbuckle left for the shine of the SEC, joining Oklahoma as the Sooners’ new offensive coordinator. Freund will have big shoes to fill after Arbuckle’s early success and will likely have many comparisons drawn as Arbuckle and former WSU starting quarterback John Mateer look to put on a show at Oklahoma.
Freund and Rogers will now look to rebuild an offense that has been decimated by transfers, starting with a decision at quarterback. The Cougs’ short-term replacement for Mateer who started in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl, Zevi Eckhaus, recently announced his return to WSU after entering the transfer portal. The Cougs also have Jaxon Potter, the only other scholarship quarterback on the roster.
Look for Rogers to bring more help to WSU as transfer commits continue to roll in, mostly from SDSU.
