Dec. 26 -- VERMILLION, S.D. -- Following a historic football season in the University of South Dakota's Division I era, the Coyotes will now look to a new offensive coordinator heading into the spring.
Tim Morrison has been tabbed as USD's next offensive coordinator, with Matt Vitzthum as the co-offensive coordinator, the football program announced on Thursday afternoon.
Former play-caller Josh Davis, who held the mantle for two seasons after being hired in January 2023, departed the USD program for the same position at Fresno State, which was also announced on Thursday.
Davis, a former wide receiver and assistant coach at South Dakota State, joins the coaching staff of former North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz, who was named the Fresno State head coach on Dec. 4. Entz spent last season as the assistant head coach for defense and linebackers coach at the University of Southern California.
Morrison has spent the past two seasons as the USD tight ends coach after joining the staff in the spring of 2023. Prior to his time in Vermillion, Morrison's coaching stops included Division II Upper Iowa and Grand Valley State (Mich.), with a total of seven seasons as offensive coordinator between the two universities. During his playing career, Morrison was a four-year letterwinner at Wartburg from 1995-98, starting at fullback for a Nielson-coached team in 1998.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to work with our players and staff to build upon the tremendous success we've had the past couple of seasons," Morrison said in a release.
Vitzthum joined the USD coaching staff as the wide receivers coach ahead of the 2024 season. Before his time in Vermillion, Vitzthum spent 11 seasons at Grand Valley State, including the last four as offensive coordinator.
"I am grateful to have the opportunity to move into a coordinator role for our program," Vitzthum said. "This is a special place that has been built with great people and hard work. My family and I are very thankful to be a part of this community."
"Tim Morrison and Matt Vitzthum are outstanding coaches with tremendous experience in leading highly successful offenses," said USD head coach Bob Nielson. "Their work as part of our offensive staff has been a major factor in our offensive development and in the overall success of our football program. In these new roles, they will continue to provide great leadership and great continuity for our football team."