The next era of football at the University of South Dakota began Tuesday with the formal introduction of Bob Nielson as the 30th head coach in school history.

Nielson comes to Vermillion just days after completing his third season at another Missouri Valley Conference school, Western Illinois, where he led the Leathernecks to a 7-6 season and a berth in the FCS Playoffs. WIU won their opening round game against Dayton, before losing at Illinois State in round two. Just two weeks ago, Nielson was named the coach of the year in the league.

USD is Nielson's 6th head coaching stop in a 23-year career. He had led teams to the post season in NCAA Division I, II, and III over the years, winning a pair of DII national championships at Minnesota-Duluth in 2008 and 2010.

Nielson takes over for Joe Glenn who retired last month after four seasons in Vermillion.

At Tuesday's press conference, Nielson discussed how quickly things with USD came together, how budget woes in the Illinois University system played a big role in his leaving Macomb, and why he chose to land in Vermillion.

 

 

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