South Dakota Coyotes football

Classifications • 1952–1972: NCAA College Division • 1973–2007: NCAA Division II • 2008–present: NCAA Division I FCS Conference memberships • 1889–1921, 1945: Independent • 1922–1942, 1946–2007: North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference • 2008–2011: Great West Football Conference • 2012–present: Missouri Valley Football Conference == Rivalries ==

South Dakota State The Coyotes' main rivals are the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. The two schools have played each other since 1889, with the Jackrabbits currently holding the all-time series 58–53–7. The series has been played yearly except for a pause between 2003 and 2012, when the Jackrabbits moved their athletic programs from Division II to Division I in 2004. The rivalry resumed in 2012 after the Coyotes joined the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The series is one of the oldest rivalries in college football, and the oldest between two public institutions at the FCS level. North Dakota The Coyotes historically shared a rivalry with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, first meeting in 1903. The Fighting Hawks currently hold the all-time series 64–34–5. The rivalry was interrupted in 2011 after the two schools moved to separate conferences (the Big Sky Conference for North Dakota and the Missouri Valley Football Conference for South Dakota), but the series was renewed when the Fighting Hawks joined the Missouri Valley in 2021. Both teams formerly fought for the Sitting Bull Trophy (an oak bust of Sitting Bull), but it was retired in 2000 amid an ongoing NCAA controversy over the use of Native American names and symbols by its member institutions. == Championships ==

Conference championships The Coyotes have won eleven conference championships, three outright and eight shared. † Co-champions ^ South Dakota and Nebraska–Omaha split games in 1978, which counted as a tie in the NCC standings. ==Playoff appearances==

NCAA Division II The Coyotes have made four appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 4–4. NCAA Division I-AA/FCS The Coyotes have made five appearances in the Division I-AA/FCS playoffs, with an combined record of 6–5. == Head coaching history ==

The Coyotes have had 27 head coaches throughout the program's history. It is not known who coached the team between 1889–1900. South Dakota did not field teams in 1943 and 1944 due to World War II. == Facilities ==

The Coyotes have played in the DakotaDome since it opened in 1979. Seating 9,100 spectators, the Dome has been home to several Coyote sports teams over its 49 year history; alongside football, the DakotaDome formerly hosted Coyote basketball, volleyball, and swimming & diving. In addition to Coyote football, the Dome also hosts South Dakota's high school state football championships each November. The DakotaDome has been renovated several times over the building's lifespan, most recently from 2019 to 2021 in a $26 million project that rebuilt the west side of the Dome. Improvements included permanent seating on the west side, new loge boxes and suites, a new locker room covering more than 6,000 square feet with 110 new lockers, new offices and equipment space, and a new concourse. As of 2025, plans are in place to renovate the west side of the Dome. Before the DakotaDome, the Coyotes played on-campus at Inman Field from 1924 to 1978. The stadium seated 10,000 spectators and was located at the current site of the Knudson School of Law and Beacom Hall. ==Notable former players==

Eighteen former Coyotes have been selected in the NFL draft. The most recent Coyote selected was Myles Harden in the 2024 NFL draft, who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 7th round. Other notable alumni include: • OT Tom Compton (2008–2011) - Selected in the 6th round of the 2012 NFL draft. • QB Chris Streveler (2016–2017) - Grey Cup champion with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2019), played in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals from 2020–2021, and for the New York Jets in 2022. • LB Jack Cochrane (2017–2021) - Two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs (LVII, LVIII). • RB Stefan Logan (2003–2006) - All-time leader in rushing yards for South Dakota, played as a punt returner for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. • DE Ordell Braase (1951–1953) - Three-time NFL champion with the Baltimore Colts (1958, 1959, 1968). • LB Matt Chatham (1994–1998) - Three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX). • LB Tyler Starr (2011–2013) - Selected in the 7th round of the 2014 NFL draft. • DE Kameron Cline (2016–2019) - Played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills. • P Filip Filipovic (1999–2002) - Played for the Dallas Cowboys. • RB Jamel White (1996–1999) - Played for the Cleveland Browns, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Baltimore Ravens as a punt returner and running back. • LB Brock Mogensen (2018–2023) - MVFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, played for the Dallas Cowboys. • RB Travis Theis (2019–2024) - Plays for the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL. ==Record against FBS opposition==

The Coyotes have played sixteen times against teams from NCAA Division I FBS since moving up to NCAA Division I FCS in 2008; they are 2–15 overall. == Future non-conference opponents ==

Announced schedules as of February 12, 2026. ==References==