Brian Grace joined the Coyote staff in the winter of the 2020-21 season following a playing career at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. The Salinas, California, native played two seasons with the Vikings (2018-19), compiling 86 tackles including two sacks in 22 games. He also had an interception and six tackles-for-loss. He earned all-conference honors at safety his senior year and was also voted to be a team captain. Before arriving in Iowa, Grace attended and played football at Hartnell College in his hometown. He was a safety and wide receiver at Salinas High School.
Grace was part of one of the best seasons in program history. The Coyotes made their second playoff appearance in five years in the fall of 2021 and served as hosts for the first time at the FCS level. South Dakota toppled three nationally-ranked teams and tied for third in the Valley standings with a 5-3 record, the Coyotes' highest placing in the MVFC.
The Coyotes boasted five players on the 2021 all-conference team and another five earned honorable mention. Linebacker Jack Cochrane was named the Valley's Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned all-America and academic all-America honors. Long snapper Dalton Godfrey also earned all-America honors and defensive lineman Nick Gaes was named to HERO Sports' freshman all-America team.
Grace earned his degree in corporate communications at Grand View in the spring of 2020 and is currently enrolled in its executive leadership master's program. He had worked as an assistant football coach for the Vikings since March of 2020.
