Both of South Dakota’s division I head football coaches have been named to the Eddie Robinson Award finalists list.
20 people each year are nominated to win the award, given annually to the top coach in FCS Football.
University of South Dakota head football coach Bob Nielson was named a finalists. This season took a Coyotes team picked to finish ninth in the Missouri Valley pre-season coach’s poll to earning the #3 overall seed in the FCS playoffs, home field advantage and a first round bye. It is the first top-eight seed in program history and are ranked #3 in the nation right now, the highest national ranking in program history at the FCS level.
South Dakota State head football coach Jimmie Rodger was also named a finalists. He has the Jacks with the #1 overall seed in the FCS playoffs, a perfect 11-0 record and has been ranked the #1 team in the nation almost the entire season. This is his first year as head coach, taking over for John Stigelmeier who retired after winning an FCS national championship last season.
