VERMILLION, S.D. — Eric Finney has been named the next cornerbacks coach at the University of South Dakota, head coach Travis Johansen announced Friday morning. He comes to USD after spending the 2024 season at the University of Cincinnati in the Big 12.
 
"It was clear in our process that Coach Finney will continue to build on the great work that has been done in the secondary. It was important that we continue to develop our players with those that have done it at a high level and won on a national level," said Johansen. "Coach Finney brings both of those qualities alongside of a very detailed approach to his coaching. I'm looking forward to watching Eric develop this outstanding group of corners."
 
While at Cincinnati, Finney served as a Quality Control coach and assisted with the defensive backs for the Bearcats. In his lone season with the Bearcats, he assisted in overall operations and in positional meetings for the Bearcat defensive backs.
 
"I'm excited to join the Coyote family! I want to thank Coach Johansen and Coach Kirch for the opportunity," noted Finney. "The program has set a standard of excellence and championship expectations; I look forward to helping continue the tradition and investing in our student-athletes. Go Yotes!"
 
He spent six seasons at Iowa Western Community College (2018-23) where he was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. He was the pass game coordinator for the Reivers and was a part of three national championship game appearances with two national titles with IWCC.
 
Finney began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Concordia University, Chicago (2016-17) where he coached two all-conference selections and helped to orchestrate the top pass defense in the NACC in 2016 (193.9 yards per game).
 
Finney played three seasons at the University of Illinois (2013-15) where he played in 35 career games and was named a team captain his senior season in 2015. His senior season saw him make eight starts and recorded 35 tackles (7.5 TFL), along with three pass break-ups and one quarterback hurry. In his Illini career, he recorded 70 tackles (11.0 TFL) and had four pass break-ups.
 
He earned his bachelor's degree in human development and family studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 2015. In 2017, he earned his master's degree in Sports Leadership from Concordia University, Chicago.