University of South Dakota Athletics

Matt Vargas was announced as the football program's second-ever Director of Football Sports Performance by head football coach Matt Vitzthum in March 2026. He'll oversee the strength and conditioning efforts for Coyote football.

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)