The University of South Dakota football program announced that head coach Bob Nielson is stepping down with plans to retire after coaching 32 seasons, including the last nine at USD. The school also announced that defensive coordinator Travis Johansen will take over as head coach.

He won 100 games and two national championships during two five-year stints as head coach at UMD and also served nine years as the school's athletic director.

Following a coaching change, programs may re-evaluate current expectations. However, one of Johansen’s first comments after being introduced as the program's 31st head coach is that the goal for the program is still the same as it would have been if Nielson hadn’t retired.

The 2024 season saw Johansen lead a unit that ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense and top 20 in rushing defense.

The emotional moment for Nielson came the day after he announced that he was stepping down as South Dakota football’s head coach and retiring from coaching. He departs USD after nine seasons, four playoff appearances, a Missouri Valley Football conference title and the program’s first-ever playoff semifinal appearance.

After helping lead one of the most successful seasons for the South Dakota Coyotes football program, USD head coach Bob Nielson is stepping down with plans to retire after nine seasons with the ‘Yotes.

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.

For the first time in almost a decade, the South Dakota Coyotes football program will not be led by Bob Nielson, who announced his retirement on Thursday afternoon. Nielson spent nine of his 32 years of head coaching experience with the Coyotes,

Travis Johansen will discuss taking over as USD head football coach in a press conference at 12:30 p.m. CT/ 11:30 a.m. MT. Watch live on our website.