Coyotes retain nearly entire roster, signaling continuity into spring football

— Stability is a rare thing in today's college football, where coaching changes and transfer portal movement can quickly reshape a roster. But inside the University of South Dakota football program, continuity has taken place this offseason. When Matt Vitzthum was named head coach on Feb.

6 following Travis Johansen's departure to become defensive coordinator at Rutgers, there was every reason to expect at least some level of roster turnover. NCAA rules grant players a 15-day transfer window tied to a head coaching change, beginning five days after the hire is announced and that window often sparks a wave of exits. But for the Coyotes, there was only one.

The lone player that chose to leave South Dakota during that stretch was standout cornerback Mikey Munn. And even that decision came with context that made sense. Munn, a first-team all-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection as a sophomore, led the league with five interceptions and added 10 pass breakups last season.

His move to follow Johansen to Rutgers offers an opportunity to compete at the Big Ten level heading into his junior year. Beyond that, the roster held firm. For Vitzthum, the lone departure speaks volumes about the foundation already in place.