University of South Dakota Athletics

Rob Kinnunen held two stints as South Dakota's head cross country coach, first from 1982-84 and again from 2002-08. His Coyote squads captured four-straight North Central Conference women's titles and had 14 combined NCAA Championship appearances. He guided the women to a ninth-place finish at the 2007 national meet, the third-best finish in program history. It was the third time since 2003 that USD had finished in the top-10 at the national meet. He was a four-time NCC Cross Country Coach of the Year from 2002-05.
 
A 1981 graduate of the University of South Dakota, Kinnunen was an All-American cross country runner for the Coyotes in the late 1970s. Originally of Sault Ste. Mario, Ontario, Canada, he was an NCC record holder and won the 10,000 meters in 1980. Kinnunen briefly left the coaching profession in 1984 to train for the Olympic marathon.
 
Kinnunen is being recognized posthumously after passing away last fall to a hard-fought battle with cancer. He shared his life with his wife of 39 years, Deb, and their three children, Justin, Kelsi and Kip. Deb resides and teaches in Irene, South Dakota. Justin and his significant other, Julie, also live in Irene. Kelsi and her husband, Jason, reside in Watertown, South Dakota, and are expecting their first child in September. Kip and his wife, Mayumi, reside in Brookings, South Dakota. Kinnunen's wife and children fondly remember attending track meets and practices while he coached at USD. His family misses his quick wit, mischievous smile, and the way he always pushed them to be their best.

LAST UPDATED JANUARY 2025