University of South Dakota Athletics

Howard Naasz, who was an outstanding football player at South Dakota, achieved success as a coach and adminstrator in South Dakota athletic circles. Naasz was a member of the 1951 North Central Conference championship team as an offensive guard. The 1951 team recorded 7-1 record and finished 6-0 in the NCC. The Coyotes lost their season opener and then won seven straight games. Following graduation in 1952, he served as an assistant football coach at Mitchell for three years before replacing Joe Quintal as head coach of the Kernels in 1957. He guided Mitchell to an undefeated season and the Eastern South Dakota Championship in 1958. Naasz, a native of Mobridge, SD, was the head coach at Rapid City High for 10 years. Both his 1965 and 1966 Rapid City teams were ranked number one in South Dakota. In 1969, he was appointed director of athletics and activities at Rapid City Central High School. Naasz has won several honors as a top high school administrator in South Dakota, including the South Dakota High School Athletic Director of the Year during both the 1975-76 and 1977-78 school years.