University of South Dakota Football

Matt Vitzthum (pronounced VITZ - THUMB) was named the 32nd head coach in program history on February 6, 2026 after two seasons on staff at South Dakota. He's been

Becky Flynn-Jensen serves as an athletic academic advisor for the South Dakota athletic department. In 2024, she was promoted to the Director of the Student-Athlete

Billy Kirch joined head coach Travis Johansen's staff in January 2025 as the program's next Defensive Coordinator and brings national-level prominence success as

Brooke Opdahl joined the athletic training staff in the summer of 2022. Opdahl will work primarily with the Coyote football team. Opdahl, a native of Hazel, South

Byron Robinson Jr. was named the cornerbacks coach at the University of South Dakota in March 2026 by head coach Matt Vitzthum. Robinson Jr. brings four seasons

Dante Warren will live in Coyote lore as the quarterback for perhaps the most significant victory in USD football history – a 41-38 win against the Minnesota Gophers

Grant Rohrig was added to the athletic training staff in the summer of 2023. He works primarily with the Coyotes’ football program.   Rohrig hails from Stillwater,

Heath Parling was named the Quarterbacks coach at the University of South Dakota in March 2026 under head coach Matt Vitzthum. Parling played quarterback at Grand

James Bain was named the Offensive Line coach under head coach Travis Johansen in January 2026. Bain joins the Coyotes after two seasons at the University of

Josh Manchigiah (manch-ah-GUY-ah) returns to the South Dakota coaching staff in February 2025 as the program's safeties coach for head coach Travis Johansen. He

Keegan Kempf was promoted to Assistant AD for Football in January 2026 after joining then head coach Travis Johansen's staff as the Director of Football Operations

Matt Vargas was announced as the football program's second-ever Director of Football Sports Performance by head football coach Matt Vitzthum in March 2026. He'll

Mike Kremer was announced as the Assistant Football Strength Coach in January 2026 by head coach Travis Johansen and director of football performance Chad Traver

Nathan Nelson joined the Coyote football staff as the defensive line coach in the spring of 2024. Nelson comes to Vermillion from Arkansas Monticello where he

The Carlson File Personal Hometown Cedar Rapids, Iowa Education Simpson College, 2019 (Bachelor's) University

Tanner Peterson joined the University of South Dakota in a newly-created position in the counseling department in the fall of 2023. Peterson serves as USD's coordinator

Tim Morrison was named the Scott & Lisa Jones Family Offensive Coordinator in December 2024, after two seasons (2023-24) as the tight ends coach, joining the South

Wendy Johnson works with Coyote football (wide receivers & tight ends), women's basketball, women's soccer, and women's swimming and diving.

Will Finley joined head coach Travis Johansen's staff as an assistant coach working with the USD linebackers in June 2025.  During his two seasons at Lindenwood,