Aberdeen, S.D. – Northern State University Head Football Coach
Mike Schmidt announced the additions of Carson Strong and
Jacob Van Landingham to his 2026 staff today. Strong will lead the quarterbacks, while Van Landingham will serve as the wide receivers coach.
"I'm thrilled to announce the addition of two outstanding assistant coaches to the Northern State football staff in Carson Strong as our quarterback coach and pass game coordinator and
Jacob Van Landingham as our wide receivers coach," said Schmidt. "Both bring exceptional football intelligence, proven playing experience, and a genuine passion for developing players, which will elevate our program as we continue building toward sustained success in the NSIC. These hires reflect our commitment to surrounding our student-athletes with high-caliber mentors who are invested in the Wolves' future.
Strong joins Northern State following one season on staff at Colorado State University in the fall of 2025.
"Carson Strong is an amazing football mind with tremendous intelligence and acumen as a coach, drawing from his standout career as a player to set the stage for what will undoubtedly be an exceptional journey in coaching," noted Schmidt. "We are incredibly happy to bring him aboard at the outset of his very promising career, where his leadership and expertise in the passing game will be a major asset for our quarterbacks and offense. His character and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our program."
"I am very grateful and excited for the opportunity to coach at Northern State under Coach Schmidt and Coach Price," noted Strong. "My purpose in life is to serve others, and I am looking forward to doing everything I can every day to serve the team."
With CSU, Strong served as the assistant quarterbacks coach and assistant tight ends coach for the Rams. Strong opened his coaching career at the University of Nevada in 2023 and served one season as the offensive coordinator at Reno High School in 2024. In his time leading the offense, Reno broke the school record for single season passing yards and touchdowns.
Strong added, "Northern State is getting a fiery and competitive coach who will sell out daily to maximize the potential of his players. The quarterback room sets the standard in everything we do, and we will take pride in bearing that responsibility."
Strong earned his bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Nevada in 2021, following record breaking career for the Wolf Pack. He started three seasons at Nevada, earning two Mountain West Conference Player of the Year awards. He led the NCAA in passing yards (7,047) and touchdowns (63) in 2020 and 2021, setting the Wolf Pack school recorded for touchdowns in a single season. Strong participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, earning a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
Carson and his fiancé Isabella Cibulsky are the parents of Zephyr and Brees.
Van Landingham signs on to the full-time role with the Wolves following a year as a graduate assistant leading the running backs, and a playing career at Northern State.
"
Jacob Van Landingham embodies what it means to take care of our own here at NSU, as a former player who has already coached within our program and now has been hired to lead our wide receivers," Schmidt explained. "He consistently demonstrated a coach's mindset during his playing days, and I am deeply thankful that he chose to launch his full-time coaching career right here with the Wolves. His familiarity with our culture and dedication to player development will strengthen our team immensely."
"I am super honored to have called Aberdeen home for the last five years," described Van Landingham. "I am so excited for the opportunity to coach such an explosive group and help raise the standard for the offense. This is a special group of young men, and I can't wait to see what they do this fall."
Following his playing career, Van Landingham served as a graduate assistant with the tight ends and most recently the running backs. In the fall of 2025, senior back
Wyatt Block rushed for 1,271 yards, ranking him second in the NSIC and tenth in the country. He averaged 115.6 yards per game, ranking him ninth in the nation, and was named to the NSIC All-Conference, D2CCA All-Region, and CSC Academic All-District(R) teams. The Northern State offense ranked tenth in total offense and 13th in rushing offense, as well as top-5 in third down conversion rate and yards per carry last fall.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Sports Marketing and master's degree in Sport Performance and Leadership from Northern State. Van Landingham played three seasons for the Wolves seeing time at wide receiver, tight end, running back, quarterback, and even place kicker. He set school records in 2023 for single game pass completion percentage (92.0%) and season pass completion percentage (73.0%). He opened his collegiate career at Virginia Tech from 2018-2020.
Jacob is expecting his first child in May of 2026 with girlfriend Allison Gross.
