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Jan. 16—VERMILLION — Bob Nielson is stepping down as head football coach at the University of South Dakota, while defensive coordinator Travis Johansen will take over as head coach of the Coyotes, USD football announced Thursday afternoon via a press release.
Nielson leaves Vermillion after nine seasons leading the Coyotes. He finished his career with a 53-48 record as head coach and led USD to its first Missouri Valley Conference title and an FCS Semifinal appearance in 2024. Overall, USD made four playoff appearances under Nielson’s watch. The release said Nielson plans to retire from coaching.
“Coaching football is all I have known for the past 42 years, and while coaching has been a true blessing, it has also been all-encompassing,” Nielson said in the press release. “This decision will allow me to focus on other priorities in my life and while I will deeply miss walking that sideline in the Dome, I look forward to the opportunities ahead.”
Shortly after the announcement, Johansen was named as Nielson’s successor. Johansen has been USD’s defensive coordinator since 2019 and has overseen numerous talented defenses and NFL players during his tenure.
“First and foremost, congratulations to Coach Nielson on a remarkable career. One of the all-time winners, I couldn’t be more appreciative of the opportunity I had to work alongside him over the last six seasons,” Johansen said in a separate press release. “Coach’s impact on thousands of players and coaches has been transformative across college football. We will all chase the standard Coach Nielson set for Coyote Football.”
Johansen has coached back-to-back conference defensive player of the year in Brock Mogenson (2023) and Mi’Quise Grace (2024). Before coming to Vermillion in 2019, Johansen was the defensive coordinator at Grand View (Iowa) from 2013-2018 and at…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bob-nielson-steps-down-defensive-005300283.html
Author : The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
Publish date : 2025-01-17 00:53:00
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