VERMILLION, S.D. -- University of South Dakota athletic director David Sayler has announced that Nick Hovden has been named the new Coyote head men's and women's golf coach.

Hovden is a native of Vermillion, S.D., and is a 2004 USD graduate. He was a member of the USD men's golf team in 2001-02.

"I am excited to start building positive relationships with the current USD team members," Hovden said. "We want to work to take the next step towards competing as a Division I program."

"The Coyote Department of Athletics is thrilled to bring Nick Hovden on board to lead our golf programs," Sayler said. "Nick has real strong Coyote roots and the passion he has for this University as well as for the Vermillion community will provide a solid foundation for him to lead our golf programs into the future. Nick was chosen from a solid field of candidates and I would like to commend the search committee for conducting a thorough search process."

Hovden brings an extensive golf background to USD. He works as a junior golf instructor and coordinator at the Bluffs Golf Course after also doing so from 1996-2008. He also was an assistant golf pro at the Bluffs from 2007-08 and last year, worked as a pro shop attendant and junior golf instructor at Tiburon Golf Club in Omaha, Neb.

Hovden has spent the past two years teaching and coaching in the Millard Public School District in Omaha. Hovden taught physical education and also served as an assistant girls basketball coach. Prior to that stop, he taught at Elk Point-Jefferson for two years.

Hovden replaces Danny Sinksen, who resigned earlier this summer.