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Feb. 21—VERMILLION — The relationship between new University of South Dakota football defensive coordinator Billy Kirch and head coach Travis Johansen has been fostered for over two decades.
The two first met when they went to high school together and played football in Blaine, Minnesota. The two went their separate ways following, but constantly stayed in touch, especially as the two progressed in their coaching careers.
Now, over 20 years after they played together on the gridiron, the two have reunited as Kirch begins a new role as defensive coordinator on Johansen’s coaching staff.
Before taking over Johansen’s old role, Kirch spent the last 10 seasons coaching at NAIA side Northwestern College (Iowa) and spent the last nine as defensive coordinator. Over that span, he turned the Red Raiders’ defense into one of the top units year in and year out.
In 2022, Footballscoop.com named him the NAIA Coordinator of the Year after helping to guide the Red Raiders to their first NAIA national title since 1983. He also coached four GPAC defensive player of the year award winners and 13 NAIA All-Americans.
The conversation between the two began almost as soon as Johansen was elevated to head coach following Bob Nielson’s retirement. Kirch had kept up with USD’s success over the past few years, especially since he and Johansen stayed in touch, discussing how games went and bouncing ideas off each other.
When he was offered the position, he felt it was the logical next step, even though the decision to leave Orange City was a difficult one.
‘To me, it’s important that I’m at a place where I can put my family and my faith, first,” Kirch said. “I need to be at a place that’s committed to winning championships and a place where I could surround myself with people that believe in the same process that I believe in. A place where I…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/billy-kirch-eager-hit-ground-005000758.html
Author : The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
Publish date : 2025-02-22 00:50:00
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