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 Concordia, St. Paul (Minn.) from 2011-2012.
“Travis has excelled at every step in his career, and I am confident Travis is ready to lead this program. Internal succession planning was at the top of my list when I arrived here and between my own experiences and interactions with Coach Nielson, it quickly became apparent Travis was that person and is ready to lead Coyote Football,” said USD Athletic Director Jon Schemmel. “I am thrilled to get to work with Travis on continuing to build a championship program and am excited that his wife, Natalie, and his three children, Laila, Layne, and Tate will be part of the Coyote and Vermillion families for years to come.”
Before stepping down, Nielson spent 32 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Before he came to Vermillion, he spent time as the head coach at Ripon, Wartburg, Wisconsin — Eau Claire, Minnesota-Duluth and Western Illinois. He finished his head coaching journey with over 200 career victories.
His final two seasons were his best as USD’s coach. The Coyotes went a combined 21-6, 14-2 in the DakotaDome, including an undefeated season in 2024. USD also made consecutive playoff appearances, losing in the quarterfinals in 2023 before advancing to the semifinals for the first time in program history in 2024.
“I want to thank Coach Nielson for his incredible nine years of leadership of our Coyote Football program. Bob has built USD into a championship program that is positioned for success and able to withstand the ongoing challenges in the ever-changing landscape of Division I athletics,” Schemmel said. “While the thought of Coyote football without Bob and his shirt and tie on the sideline is hard to imagine, I respect his decision to retire at this time and his legacy is cemented at USD. I am so excited for Bob to be able to spend more time with Terri, their children, and grandchildren!”
“I want to thank Coyote Nation for all the support they have shown Terri and I over the past decade and for the relationships and friendships that we have made and will forever cherish,” Nielson said.
