VERMILLION, S.D. — Head football coach Matt Vitzthum has named Matt Vargas the second Director of Football Sports Performance in program history. Vargas comes to South Dakota after starting and heading up the strength department at Division II Upper Iowa the last two and a half years.
 
"We are thrilled to have Matt Vargas join our football staff as the new head strength and conditioning coach," commented Vitzthum. "The development of our student-athletes has allowed our program to compete for championships on a consistent basis as well as preparing them for the next level. Matt's addition to our staff will help assist in these efforts. We couldn't be more excited to have Matt join the Coyote family!"
 
Most recently, Vargas spent the last two and a half years at Upper Iowa University. He established the UIU strength and conditioning department at Upper Iowa from the ground up. He oversaw the daily operations of the UIU weight room and administered a comprehensive training program for each of the 16 varsity sports at Upper Iowa, working with the UIU coaching staffs for sport-specific goals of each program.
 
"I am truly honored to join Coach Vitzthum and the University of South Dakota as the Director of Football Sports Performance. The tradition, commitment to excellence, and student-athlete-centered culture at USD make this an incredible opportunity," noted Vargas. "I look forward to collaborating with Coach Vitzthum and the entire athletic department to enhance performance, support holistic athlete development, and contribute to sustained success for the Coyotes both on and off the field."
 
Following his two-year stint at Chadron State, Vargas spent nearly two years as a professional intern at the University of Arkansas (May 2021 to December 2022). In Fayetteville, he was in charge of the internship program and assisted with the day-to-day operations of the Razorback strength and conditioning department.
 
Vargas started his coaching career at his alma mater, Chadron State College, as a graduate assistant in strength and conditioning for the 2019-20 academic year. The following year, he was promoted to full-time as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at CSC.
 
He earned his undergraduate degree in sports and recreational management from Chadron State University (Neb.) in 2019. He earned his master's degree in organizational management, also from Chadron State. A five-year member of the Eagles football team as a tight end, Vargas had 25 receptions for 222 yards and was named a 2018 Second Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference performer at tight end.
 
COACHING HISTORY
2026-pres: South Dakota (Director of FB Sports Performance)
2023-26: Upper Iowa (Director of Strength & Conditioning)
2021-22: Arkansas (Professional Intern)
2020-21: Chadron State (Neb.) (Assistant Strength & Conditioning)
2019-20: Chadron State (Neb.) (Graduate Assistant Strength & Conditioning)