Josh Manchigiah (manch-ah-GUY-ah) returns to the South Dakota coaching staff in February 2025 as the program's safeties coach for head coach Travis Johansen. He concluded his playing career as a Coyote (2022) and spent the 2023 season as a quality control coach on Nielson's staff.
He returns to Vermillion after spending the 2024 season as a Defensive Graduate Student Coach at the University of Iowa, where he assisted with the Hawkeye secondary. Working with Iowa Defensive Coordinator Phil Parker, the Hawkeyes went 8-5 (6-3 B1G) last season with an appearance in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
Manchigiah started his coaching career at South Dakota as the director of quality control at South Dakota in 2023, following his collegiate career that spanned seven seasons.
Finishing his college career at South Dakota in 2022, Manchigiah competed in seven of the 11 games with four starts at safety. He posted a season-high five tackles and had a 38-yard interception return against his former team in South Dakota State. On the season, he tallied 13 tackles and was credited with three pass break-ups.
Manchigiah started his college career at South Dakota State, playing in 53 games in three seasons for the Jacks. He totaled 159 tackles, a sack, and seven interceptions with 16 pass deflections. He posted 53 tackles in both 2018 and 2019.
A native of Papillion, Nebraska, prepping at Papillion-La Vista South High School. He and his wife, Chloe, have a daughter, Violet.
