What Is 2015 South Dakota Coyotes football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakota in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7–4 record under head coach Dale Lennon. They competed in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Key Facts

The team finished the 2015 season with a 7–4 overall record
Head coach Dale Lennon led the team in his seventh season
The Coyotes played their home games at the 11,000-seat DakotaDome
They earned a spot in the FCS playoffs after a 5–3 conference record
Quarterback John DeScherer threw for 2,582 yards and 17 touchdowns

Overview

The 2015 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakota in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), the team was led by head coach Dale Lennon in his seventh year at the helm. The Coyotes played their home games at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota, a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of approximately 11,000.

That season marked a significant step forward for the program, as the Coyotes posted a winning record and returned to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2008. Their performance reflected improvements in both offensive consistency and defensive resilience, drawing increased attention from fans and scouts alike. The 2015 campaign was seen as a turning point in the rebuilding effort initiated under Lennon’s leadership.

Record and standings: The team finished with a 7–4 overall record and a 5–3 mark in MVFC play, placing them in the upper half of the conference.
Playoff appearance: They earned an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs, where they lost in the first round to the eventual national champion North Dakota State.
Offensive leader: Quarterback John DeScherer passed for 2,582 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading the team’s aerial attack with a 57.3% completion rate.
Defensive standout: Linebacker TJ Leader recorded 108 total tackles, becoming one of the defensive anchors throughout the season.
Home field: The DakotaDome, opened in 1979, served as the team’s home venue and underwent minor upgrades before the 2015 season to improve fan experience.

How It Works

The structure of NCAA Division I FCS football involves a combination of regular-season conference play and a postseason playoff system to determine the national champion. Teams compete within conferences like the MVFC, where standings are determined by win-loss records, and the top performers earn spots in the 24-team FCS playoff bracket.

Season Format: The 2015 FCS season consisted of an 11-game regular season followed by a 24-team playoff tournament organized by the NCAA. Teams were selected based on strength of schedule and conference performance.
Missouri Valley Football Conference: As a member of the MVFC, one of the toughest FCS conferences, South Dakota faced strong opponents like North Dakota State and Southern Illinois each year.
Eligibility for Playoffs: The Coyotes qualified for the FCS playoffs as one of the at-large teams selected by the NCAA committee after finishing with a 7–4 record.
Recruiting Pipeline: The program relied heavily on talent from Midwestern states, particularly South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, to build a competitive roster.
Coaching Strategy: Head coach Dale Lennon emphasized a balanced offensive attack and aggressive defensive schemes, adapting game plans weekly based on opponent weaknesses.
Player Development: The team utilized a redshirt system to develop younger players, with eight true freshmen seeing playing time during the 2015 season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 South Dakota Coyotes compared to other MVFC teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Playoff Result	Points Per Game
South Dakota	7–4	5–3	First Round	26.8
North Dakota State	13–2	8–0	Champions	38.2
Illinois State	7–5	5–3	First Round	29.1
Southern Illinois	6–5	4–4	Did not qualify	24.3
South Dakota State	8–4	6–2	Quarterfinals	31.6

The table highlights that while South Dakota didn’t dominate the conference standings, their 5–3 conference record placed them in strong company. They outperformed teams like Southern Illinois and were just behind South Dakota State in both wins and scoring. Their playoff appearance underscored a successful rebuilding phase, even though they fell short against the eventual champions.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was pivotal for the South Dakota football program, signaling a return to competitiveness after years of rebuilding. It helped boost recruiting, increased fan engagement, and laid the foundation for future success under the leadership of Dale Lennon and his staff.

Program momentum: Making the FCS playoffs after a seven-year absence restored confidence among players, alumni, and supporters of the program.
Recruiting boost: Success in 2015 helped the Coyotes secure a higher-rated recruiting class in 2016, including several four-star prospects from regional high schools.
Conference credibility: Competing closely with MVFC powerhouses like North Dakota State enhanced the team’s reputation within the league.
Facility investments: Increased attendance led to renovations at the DakotaDome, including upgraded seating and video boards in subsequent years.
Player development: Several 2015 players, including TJ Leader, went on to sign professional contracts or play in elite all-star games.
Media exposure: Games were broadcast on ESPN3 and the Missouri Valley Network, increasing the team’s national visibility and fan base.

Overall, the 2015 season served as a benchmark for future growth, demonstrating that sustained success was possible even in a highly competitive FCS conference.