The emotional moment for Nielson came the day after he announced that he was stepping down as South Dakota football’s head coach and retiring from coaching. He departs USD after nine seasons, four playoff appearances, a Missouri Valley Football conference title and the program’s first-ever playoff semifinal appearance.

Following a coaching change, programs may re-evaluate current expectations. However, one of Johansen’s first comments after being introduced as the program's 31st head coach is that the goal for the program is still the same as it would have been if Nielson hadn’t retired.

First lady Jill Biden expressed her disappointment with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a new interview with The Washington Post, providing rare public comments about the fractured relationship between her husband, Joe Biden, and Pelosi following the president’s departure from the 2024 race.

The University of South Dakota announced that head football coach Bob Nielson is stepping down with plans to retire after coaching 32 seasons.

He won 100 games and two national championships during two five-year stints as head coach at UMD and also served nine years as the school's athletic director.

VERMILLION — Bob Nielson is stepping down as head football coach at the University of South Dakota, while defensive coordinator Travis Johansen will take over as head coach of the Coyotes, USD football announced Thursday afternoon via a press release.

After an illustrious college football coaching career, long time UMD head football coach Bob Nielson is retiring.

Travis Johansen discussed taking over as USD head football coach in a press conference held Friday, . Watch the replay on our website.

For the first time in almost a decade, the South Dakota Coyotes football program will not be led by Bob Nielson, who announced his retirement on Thursday afternoon. Nielson spent nine of his 32 years of head coaching experience with the Coyotes,