Vermillion, S.D. – Marking a milestone in South Dakota’s vibrant collegiate sports scene, Head Coach Travis Johansen of the University of South Dakota Coyotes has announced significant coaching staff updates in anticipation of the 2025 football season. New talent has been acquired to enhance the already promising athletic program, with the likes of Isaiah Walker stepping in as the wide receivers coach. This decision, announced by the football program on a bright Tuesday morning, aims to bolster the team’s offensive prowess as the Coyotes embark on a quest for excellence.
Isaiah Walker brings a wealth of experience to Vermillion, having served in substantial roles at the University of Minnesota under the tutelage of PJ Fleck. His tenure with the Gophers, most recently as an assistant wide receivers coach, included significant contributions to their triumphant 24-10 Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.
Travis Johansen expressed high regard for Walker’s capabilities, stating, “A proven teacher of the game. Coach Walker has experience at nearly all levels. He’s worked alongside some of the best wide receiver minds and developed an acumen for the wide receiver position that will undoubtedly take our wide receiver play to the next level.”
Isaiah Walker
Walker, a native of Lakeland, Florida, eagerly embraces the opportunity to join the Coyotes. “Earning the opportunity to work for Coach Johansen is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Walker noted. “When presented the chance to come to Vermillion and work alongside Tim Morrison and Matt Vitzthum was one that I did not need to think about.”
Vermillion, a city deeply enmeshed in South Dakota’s rich history and community spirit, provides a fitting backdrop for this chapter in Walker’s career. As the state’s flagship university, the University of South Dakota continues to play a pivotal role in both educational and athletic arenas, strengthening its reputation through key appointments like that of Walker.
South Dakotans hold their athletic programs in high esteem, often viewing them as community cornerstones. The Coyotes’ football program, in particular, garners substantial local and state support. With this new addition to the coaching roster, expectations are mounting statewide as fans anticipate an exciting football season.
Walker’s path to the University of South Dakota has been marked by progressive leadership roles. Prior to Minnesota, he held a position as an offensive graduate assistant at UCF, a role in which he demonstrated strategic acumen and hands-on coaching efficiency. At NCAA Division II Truman State and NAIA Georgetown College, Walker honed his skills further, contributing notably to championship games and seasonal victories.
The Coyotes’ analysts see Walker’s detailed approach as a harbinger for stronger offensive plays, a sentiment echoed by Johansen. “The Coyotes will benefit from Coach Walker’s incredibly detailed approach, but his unrelenting passion for the game of football will bring another level of push to our offense,” he continued.
Walker, a former wide receiver at Georgetown College himself, holds a bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration and a master’s degree in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University. His accomplishments as a player and a coach distinguish him as an asset tailored for developing the Coyotes’ receivers.
“The University of South Dakota football program is one that is taking off like a rocket ship and I am grateful I get to tag alongside these fine gentlemen into the future,” concluded Walker, signifying both dedication and enthusiasm for the upcoming seasons.
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