VERMILLION, S.D. — University of South Dakota head football coach Travis Johansen has solidified his defensive staff with the announcement of Billy Kirch as the program's next Defensive Coordinator and the promotion of Miles Taylor to Co-Defensive Coordinator on Thursday morning.
 
Billy Kirch, Defensive Coordinator
"Coach Kirch is an accomplished, experienced coordinator, but more importantly, an excellent person," said Johansen. "He's an incredible father and husband who will pour into the development of our players every day."
 
"My family and I are thrilled to be apart of Coyote Nation. Having the opportunity to coach in the best FCS conference in the country, at a program that is equipped to compete for championships is exciting and important," said Kirch. "My first priority is getting to know the guys in our locker room. Ultimately, coaching is about helping players develop and maximize their potential. Our players are the heartbeat, and they will always come first."
 
Kirch comes to Vermillion after 10 seasons on staff at Northwestern College (Iowa), spending the last nine seasons as the Defensive Coordinator. He was named the 2022 Footballscoop.com NAIA Coordinator of the Year after helping to guide the Red Raiders to their first NAIA national title since 1983.
 
"His results stand alone," continued Johansen. "A national champion and national coordinator of the year, when you look at all levels of defense, you can't help but respect the tough, sound, winning defenses coach has developed."
 
He helped shape the Red Raiders defensive unit to be one of the best year in and year out. The 2016 season saw Kirch coach the Cliff Harris Award winner in Sam Van Ginkel, an award given to the best small college best defensive player.
 
"For me, coaching is most rewarding when you can do it alongside people you enjoy," commented Kirch. "Defensively, Coach Johansen and his staff have set a standard of excellence within their process, philosophy, scheme and player development. I look forward to working alongside these great men."
 
He coached four Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Defensive Players of the Year in his nine seasons as defensive coordinator, including 2024 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year Parker Fryar, who spent the 2023 with the Coyotes. His time with the Red Raiders also saw him recruit and develop 13 NAIA All-Americans.
 
Prior to his time in Orange City, Kirch was the lead coach at Forest Lake High School for the 2012-13 seasons, along with a stint as the head coach at Waverly-South Shore High School from 2008-11.
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this great football program, university and community. I will work tireless to prepare and lead a defense that will stand up against any opponent in its way," noted Kirch. "Coyote nation we are looking forward to your support."
 
He was a four-year linebacker at South Dakota State under John Stiegelmeier from 2002-05. He helped lead the Jackrabbits into their NCAA Division I era, playing his final two seasons (2004, 2005) in the Great West Conference. Kirch led the team in tackles in his senior season (2005) with 78 on the year.
 
"Coyote defense has been special, and I couldn't be more excited to watch how Coach Kirch alongside our excellent staff take it to even new heights," concluded Johansen. "We can't wait to welcome his wife Natalie, sons Brady, Clay and Daughter Aubrey to the Coyote family!"
 
Kirch earned his degree in education from South Dakota State in 2006. He and his wife, Natalie, have three children, Brady, Aubrey, and Clayton.
 
Miles Taylor, Co-Defensive Coordinator
Johansen has also announced the promotion of defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Miles Taylor to the position of Co-Defensive Coordinator. Taylor originally joined Nielson's staff back in the summer of 2020 and has been on staff the last five seasons.
 
During his five seasons, Taylor coached now NFL defensive back Myles Harden (2020-23) who is on the active roster for the Cleveland Browns.
 
"Miles has been an instrumental part of Coyote football for the past five years. I'm excited for Miles to advance his leadership role within the Coyote defense. He believes in everything that we value, has an incredible football mind, and cares deeply about players," commented Johansen. "We are lucky to have Miles, Kari, and GG as staples in Vermillion. Looking forward to another great season of defense!"
 
Joining the Coyotes staff under Nielson in 2020, Taylor's first season with South Dakota would be cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In his second season – first full season – Taylor helped lead the Coyotes to the program's second-ever FCS Playoffs (2021) and helped spearhead a defense that 20 points per game.
 
"I'm very excited to continue to work with a great group of coaches: Coach Ferentz, Coach Hodge, Coach Nelson, and now Coach Kirch. It takes a collective effort in our defensive staff room every season to be better than the year previous," commented Taylor. "That collective effort will be even stronger this year having an additional year with our current staff and a veteran coach joining our staff. I'm excited for this off-season to keep developing, growing, and inspiring our guys."
 
His coaching career began at his alma mater, the University of Iowa, in the 2018-19 seasons as a graduate assistant. He was on staff for an Iowa squad that went 9-4 with a 27-22 win over Mississippi State in the Outback Bowl. The following season, Iowa went 10-3 with a 49-24 win over USC in the Holiday Bowl. Taylor also spent the summer of 2019 as a Bill Walsh Defensive Intern with the Baltimore Ravens where he worked primarily with the defensive backs and special teams units.
 
Taylor played defensive back for Kirk Ferentz and Defensive Coordinator Phil Parker at the University of Iowa from 2014-17. In his freshman season in 2014, Taylor was one of three true freshmen Hawkeyes to see playing time. He was a 14-game starter for the Hawks in 2015, going on to compete in 50 games for Ferentz. In his career, Taylor totaled 169 tackles with 3.5 for loss, while also have one interception and one fumble recovery.
 
The Silver Springs, Maryland native holds a Political Science degree from the University of Iowa (2017) and also earned a master's degree in Sport Management from Iowa in 2020. Taylor and his wife, Kari, live in Vermillion. Taylor's father, Chuck Taylor, from whom he learned the game from, played at James Madison. His younger brother, Kyle, also spent time in the Hawkeyes' program.