Bob Nielson, the head coach of the University of South Dakota’s football program for the past nine years, announced his retirement on Thursday. Nielson informed USD last year that he was considering stepping down,

University of South Dakota football fans went through all the emotions after head coach Bob Nielson announced he’d retire on Thursday. On Friday, AD Jon Schemmel introduced Defensive Coordinator Travis Johansen as his successor.

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.

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.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former UMD head football coach Bob Nielson is calling it a career. On Thursday, he announced after 32 years of coaching, including the last nine seasons at the University of South Dakota,

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,