What a day it was at the DakotaDome!
Excited to get to work, @CoachTJohansen!#GoYotes x #WeAreSouthDakota pic.twitter.com/qcDhVwT8BV
— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB) January 18, 2025
Bob Nielson, the head coach of the University of South Dakota’s football program for the past nine years, announced his retirement on Thursday. Nielson informed USD last year that he was considering stepping down, and this decision marks the end of a remarkable coaching career. “If you ever get to a point where you think you might be able to step away, that needs to tell you that it’s time,” an emotional Nielson said.
During his tenure, Nielson led the Coyotes to the FCS Playoffs four times.
𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧 officially introduced as the head coach of the Coyotes!
📰: https://t.co/FIjGQWXIwV
📺: https://t.co/mBznDt6SxZ#GoYotes x #WeAreSouthDakota pic.twitter.com/9c39ZN7646— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB) January 17, 2025
The 2024 season was especially notable. The team went 11-3, reached its first-ever FCS Semifinals, and Nielson secured his 50th win. Despite these achievements, Nielson chose to retire for various reasons, including the changing landscape of college football.
Official announcement from #USD. Bob Nielson is retiring; after 32 years of coaching, the last 9 in Vermillion.
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) January 16, 2025
“Open up anything today about college football and the first two things that people talk about are NIL and transfer portal. To me, that’s wrong,” Nielson said. “College football has been about relationships and development.”
USD Athletic Director Jon Schemmel praised Nielson’s contributions.
“Not only has he built a championship program, but he’s done so the right way, regardless of everything going on. We’re not out there buying kids,” Schemmel said.
Nielson ends coaching career
Reflecting on his career, Nielson noted that he would miss the relationships he built with players and staff. “The relationships with the young men you work with, the relationships with staff. Those are what you get into this profession to do,” Nielson said.
As for the future, Nielson remains uncertain, but he is looking forward to having more personal time. “I’ve got a chance to give some time back–and that will be a priority,” he stated. Nielson finishes his coaching career at USD with a record of 53-48.
He began his head coaching career at 29 and has spent 32 years there. Less than 24 hours after Nielson’s retirement announcement, USD officially introduced Travis Johansen as the 31st head coach in its program history. Johansen has served as defensive coordinator on Nielson’s staff for the past six seasons.
Though the program’s standards will remain unchanged, Johansen is expected to take it further. Nielson mentioned that retiring felt easier, knowing he was handing the reins to someone he trusted, indicating his confidence in Johansen’s capabilities to lead the team forward.