VERMILLION, S.D. — University of South Dakota Director of Athletics Jon Schemmel has announced on Thursday, January 16 that Travis Johansen has been named the 31^st head coach of the South Dakota football program, following six seasons as the program's defensive coordinator.
 
"First and foremost, congratulations to Coach Nielson on a remarkable career. One of the all-time winners, I couldn't be more appreciative of the opportunity I had to work alongside him over the last six seasons," said Johansen. "Coach's impact on thousands of players and coaches has been transformative across college football. We will all chase the standard Coach Nielson set for Coyote Football."
 
Johansen, a native of Blaine, Minnesota, joined the USD football program in February 2019 and has taken the Coyote defensive unit to new heights. He has coached a pair of Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Defensive Players of the Year in back-to-back seasons (Brock Mogensen, 2023; Mi'Quise Grace, 2024) and a pair of Buck Buchannan Award Finalists (Mogensen, 2023; Grace, 2024).
 
"Travis has excelled at every step in his career, and I am confident Travis is ready to lead this program. Internal succession planning was at the top of my list when I arrived here and between my own experiences and interactions with Coach Nielson, it quickly became apparent Travis was that person and is ready to lead Coyote Football," said Schemmel. "I am thrilled to get to work with Travis on continuing to build a championship program and am excited that his wife, Natalie, and his three children, Laila, Layne, and Tate will be part of the Coyote and Vermillion families for years to come."
 
"Being the next head football coach at The University of South Dakota is an honor. Thank you to President Gestring, Jon Schemmel, and all our administration for entrusting me to continue the success we've built," commented Johansen. "Their leadership and vision is uncommon. When I arrived in 2019 aspirations were high. Over the past six seasons this program has turned those aspirations into expectations."
 
A proven leader of defenses in his three stops as Defensive Coordinator at South Dakota (2019-pres.), Grand View (2013-18), and Concordia, St. Paul (2011-12).
 
"Travis Johansen has demonstrated exceptional coaching skills and a deep understanding of our program's values. We are confident he will continue building on the strong foundation laid by Coach Nielson and lead our team to new heights," said University of South Dakota President, Sheila Gestring. "Coach Johansen has served as the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator since 2019, where he made significant contributions to the team's success, including coaching multiple MVFC Defensive Players of the Year, Buck Buchanan Award Finalists, and All-Americans."
 
Leading defensive units, Johansen has seen 16 athletes go to the National Football League (NFL) with 10 from his time in Vermillion, including 2023 seventh round draft pick Myles Harden of the Cleveland Brown.
 
Additionally, he's coached seven All-Americans (AFCA, STATS Perform, Phil Steele, AP) and seven First Team All-MVFC performers at South Dakota. As of December 2024, Johansen has seen 10 athletes on the defensive side of the ball go pro either drafted, received camp invites, or signed as an undrafted free agent in the NFL.
 
"Although our 2024 season was one to remember, everyone would agree, Coyote Football has our sights set on more," concluded Johansen. "We will work tirelessly to bring a National Championship to Vermillion and call on all of Coyote Nation's support to accomplish that goal. Get your season tickets now, we'll be back in the dome before we know it. Fight South Dakota!"
 
The 2024 season saw Johansen lead a unit that sat top-10 in scoring defense and top-20 in rushing defense as the Coyotes put together one of the best seasons in school history with an 11-3 (7-1 MVFC) record with a share of the MVFC title, the first in program history.
 
The MVFC honors saw seven All-Conference honorees, including three First Team All-MVFC performers in Mi'Quise Grace, Nick Gaes, and Dennis Shorter. The defensive front seven sat fourth in the Valley with 30 sacks as a team with Gaes and Grace sitting No. 1 and No. 2 in total sacks.
 
The 2023 campaign saw the Coyotes take a giant leap forward in the FCS ranks under Johansen. South Dakota finished No. 4 in the FCS rankings (STATS Perform and AFCA) and picked up the program's first 10-win season in the Division I era. The Yote defense was instrumental in the team's overall success, being ranked in the top-25 in the FCS in three defensive categories: scoring defense (No. 8), passing defense (No. 18), and total defense (No. 25).
 
Prior to his arrival in Vermillion, he served as the Defensive Coordinator at Grand View University (Iowa) at the NAIA level where he and the Vikings posted a 61-11 record with five Heart of America Athletic Conference championships, six NAIA Playoff appearances, and the 2013 national title following a 14-0 campaign. While at Grand View, Johannsen was named the Heart of America Assistant Coach of the Year finalist in his final two seasons and was a national coordinator of the year finalist in the 2015 season.
 
He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Concordia, St. Paul (Minn.) where he spent seven seasons in various positions. He eventually climbed to the Defensive Coordinator position for his final two seasons (2011-12) where he coordinated the Golden Bear defensive unit and coached the secondary.
 
He was a four-year starter at Concordia, St. Paul (Minn.) at linebacker from 2002-05 who made 40 consecutive starts on the defensive side of the ball in his career. The two-time All-NSIC performer earned First Team All-Conference honors his senior season in 2005, being a team captain and the team's defensive MVP.
 
His CSP teams went 33-13 in his four seasons, including a 24-7 mark in NSIC play. He finished his collegiate career with 221 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in a dual role as a safety and linebacker in his Golden Bear career.
 
In 2021, Johansen was named to the Concordia University Hall of Fame after his playing career and his stint on staff at CSP from 2006-12. He was a part of 65 of Concordia's 102 total wins at the NCAA Division II level, including a member of both NSIC Championship teams and all three Mineral Water Bowl appearances, as both an athlete and a coach.
 
He graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul in 2006 with a degree in Kinesiology and Sport Science. Johansen and his wife, Natalie, have two daughters, Laila and Layne, and a son, Tate.
 
He takes over the reins of the Coyote football program following the announcement of Bob Nielson's retirement after the program's first NCAA FCS semifinal appearance this season.
 
Johansen will be formally introduced as head coach at South Dakota with a press conference tomorrow, January 17, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. in the DomeClub.
 
JOHANSEN'S PATH TO HEAD COACH (Seasons)
Defensive Assistant, Concordia, St. Paul (2006-10)
Defensive Coordinator, Concordia, St. Paul (2011-12)
Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach, Grand View (2013-18)
Defensive Coordinator, South Dakota (2019-pres.)
Associate Head Coach, South Dakota (2022-pres.)