Nielson steps down as USD football HC, Johansen takes over [Video]

VERMILLION, S.D. — Travis Johansen is the 31st head football coach of the University of South Dakota football team.

Johansen replaces Bob Nielson, who announced he was stepping down on Thursday.

The Coyotes’ new coach was introduced at a press conference on the USD campus Friday.

“It’s an exciting time for me personally and for my family. It’s an incredible honor to lead this football team into where I know we’re headed,” said Johansen, who grew up in Blaine, Minn., and played collegiately at Concordia-St. Paul as a linebacker.

“(Coach Nielson) was the reason I became interested in (USD). I didn’t know too much about Vermillion. “He gave me my first Division I opportunity in 2019. I was at (Concordia University – St. Paul) when he was at Minnesota-Duluth, and as a young coach, I got my tail kicked in by him the first few times I played him, but …