December 14, 1999

It was doubtful when Sean Triplett caught the pass that gave the Coyotes a crucial first down in a game earlier this year, everyone was talking about how he use to run around The University of South Dakota's DakotaDome with his twin brother, Rory. At that same moment, Brad Salem was listening for the next play call from his twin brother Brent while twins Erin and Kelsie Austin were doing their part along the Coyote sideline. While no one might may have noticed, twins form a unique triple connection on this football team. It is a special connection that travels back in time to legendary coaches Dave Triplett and Joe Salem. Coach Austin was recruited by Salem and played under Triplett. Now Salem's sons coach for him and Triplett's sons play for him while his daughters are his biggest fans and helpers. When Dave Triplett was roaming the sidelines in the 1980s as one of the school's all-time great coaches, two small dark-haired wisps of energy were always near. His twin sons were ball boys. In those days, it seemed like those two boys were always running around the DakotaDome in oversized Coyote jerseys. And hardly anyone, perhaps with the exception of their parents, knew which boy was which. Yet any parent can testify that people are always mixing up their kids. And those parents with twins know that more than others. A lot of fans were disappointed when Triplett left USD to take an assistant coaching job with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he excelled as a wide receiver years earlier. At USD he led USD to a trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game, ending his Coyote career with the third most wins by a winning coach. His sons went onto to stellar football players at Iowa City High before coming back to campus after being recruited to the university campus. While they have yet to make an all-conference team, their demeanor and positive attitude is catchy. That youthful energy is important to a football program that is making inroads to regain the glory of the past. Sean, a wide receiver, and Rory, a defensive back, are role players for the Coyotes while coach Triplett is now on the University of Iowa Foundation staff. "People have been mixing us up all our lives. The coaching staff really doesn't have a problem. They have their own little ways. Playing on different sides of the ball helps," said Rory. According to Sean Triplett, mix-ups happen. "All the coaches have done it at one point. But we don't take it personal," he said. Austin was an outstanding linebacker on the last conference winning team at the university. Recruited by Joe Salem, he played under Beanie Cooper and Dave Triplett. Over the years he became familiar with the sons of Salem, bringing Brad and Brent Salem to campus to rebuild the football program at his alma mater. In his first season at the Coyote helm, he recorded a 4-7 mark, which included several close call losses. For the Salems, coaching is part of the family's legacy. Joe Salem recorded a 51-38-2 mark during his Coyote coaching reign at USD from 1966-74 before moving to Northern Arizona University and later the University of Minnesota. Like Triplett, Coyote fans were disappointed when he left as his Coyote teams won three North Central Conference championships during 1972-74. Three of Salems four sons coach, including the oldest, Tim, quarterback coach at Ohio State University. Another son, Wade lives in Erie, Penn. Interestingly, veteran Coyote followers may remember that the Salems, like the Tripletts, spent time on the sidelines, although it wasn't the DakotaDome but Inman Field and the New Armory. And now the Austin's twin girls, who turned 13 in September, were on the sidelines in the Dome with their father this past football season. The sisters held radio cords for their father and Brad Salem. When Coach Austin tapped the twin Salem brothers for his coaching staff he did so because of their abilities as coaches and individuals. "They are two separate people, who have unique abilities and different responsibilities here," said Austin, noting that he didn't give any thought to idea that he was hiring twins. While the Salems did not believe they would find themselves coaching together, they did play on the same team. The Salems helped lead O'Gorman High School to a state title in 1986 when Brad was quarterback and Brent, wide receiver. They also played together for two years at Northern Arizona University before Brad transferred for his final two years at Augustana College. "As far as coaching together, we've talked about it," said Brent, USD's new offensive coordinator, quarterback and wide receiver coach. "We really didn't think it would happen. I guess we kind of fell into it," he said. Brent was offensive coordinator at NAIA Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Ill., for three years prior to joining the Coyote staff. His offensive genius helped guide Olivet Nazarene to the national NAIA championship game and his offense ranked third in the nation in total offense. He also coached at Purdue University where he was a graduate assistant, coaching tight ends. Brad, USD's recruiting coordinator and running back coach, was the offensive coordinator for Robinson Sphinx of the European Professional Football League in Paris, France, before returning to Augustana to coach defensive backs. In 1994-95, he was a graduate assistant with Michigan State University during the same time Brent was at Purdue. Most recently he was the offensive coordinator and head of recruiting for Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. If Coyote fans are confused which Salem is whom, they should take solace in the fact that many other people have confused the Salems - even players they coached. "There was a time I was in my Purdue gear playing catch with my tight ends before the our matchup with Michigan State," said Brent. "When Michigan came running out of their tunnel, they thought I was Brad," he said. "Some of the guys with Michigan State didn't know I had a brother," said Brad. The Triplets don't think they will end up coaching like the Salems. However they have found themselves calling plays from the sideline. Their little brother Timmy had a flag football game and his team needed a coach. The Tripletts took over the reins. They won the game. "We beat them pretty good," said Sean. "But we really don't agree on a lot of things right now, so I don't see us doing a whole lot of coaching." Coach Austin agrees this twin's thing is very unique. "I do know that I'm blessed - blessed with my daughters, with the Salems and with the Triplets." For some, seeing all these twins may seem like one is seeing double but it also offers a special time with special people. Brothers playing and coaching and sister's cheering together. It is a lot of likeness and bondness.