ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Announced ahead of the 2026 Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Media Day in Sioux Falls, the South Dakota Coyote football team was picked to finish fifth in the league per the announcement Tuesday morning.  
 
Heading into the first season of head coach Matt Vitzthum, the Coyotes picked up two first-place votes in this year's poll. South Dakota tallied 196 total points to sit fifth, 15 points back of North Dakota in fourth-place.
 
In 2025, the Coyotes picked up victories over the 2026 picked champion (SDSU) and fourth-place selection (UND).
 
2026 MVFC PRESEASON POLL

1. South Dakota State (28)            312 pts.
2. Illinois State (3)                        256 pts.
3. Youngstown State                     235 pts.
4. North Dakota (2)                       211 pts.
5. South Dakota (2)                   196 pts.
6. Southern Illinois (1)                   186 pts.
7. Northern Iowa                           99 pts.
8. Indiana State                            80 pts.
9. Murray State                             45 pts.

(#) = first-place votes
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Below are select Coyotes to watch heading into the 2026 campaign:

• Charles Pierre Jr., RB
• Keyondray Jones-Logan, RB
• Tysen Boze, WR
• Tennel Bryant, WR
• Jesse Miller, TE
• Brock Woolf, OL
• Chris Dixon, DL
• Nathan Laperi, DL
• Gabriel Hardman, LB
• RJ Stewart, DB

2026 MVFC MEDIA DAY
The second annual MVFC Media Day will be held in-person once again at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Beginning at 9 a.m. (CT) on Tuesday, July 14, head coach Matt Vitzthum, wide receiver Tysen Boze, and defensive lineman Nathan Laperi will represent the Coyotes at Media Day.
 
Fans can watch the main stage interviews on Midco Sports Plus (produced by Midco). This Media Day broadcast will be FREE to all viewers and can be watched at the link above. The Coyotes are scheduled for the main stage from 10:40-11:00 a.m.
 
The season opens with a non-conference clash against Central Connecticut State on August 29 in the DakotaDome. It's Ag Appreciation Day and fans are encouraged to wear black at the season and home opener in the first-ever meeting with the Blue Devils.