USD Coyotes, softball coach Robert Wagner part ways
· Yahoo Sports
May 19—VERMILLION — In a surprising development, Robert Wagner is no longer the head softball coach for the USD Coyotes, just days after leading them to a spirited run in their first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament.
The Coyotes will begin a national search to find his replacement.
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Wagner posted the following statement to his Twitter account shortly before 2 p.m. on Tuesday:
"For my entire adult life I have been a United States Marine and a Coach. That's my resume.
USD gave me the opportunity to live out my dreams. My family and I have given everything to the USD softball program and Vermillion for the last 10 years.
This year's team accomplished things that had never been done in the history of the program. It has always been my intention to finish my career at USD. Therefore, I will be stepping away as the Head Coach of USD softball.
Thank you to all the players who have given so much to this program. To the current team — well done, we left it all on the field. Go Yotes! Coach Wags"
USD released the following statement:
South Dakota athletics announced today (May 19) there will be a change in leadership for the softball program. A national search will begin immediately for the next South Dakota softball head coach.
Wagner was the Coyotes' coach for 10 seasons, compiling a 224-297-1 record, including a 79-85 mark in Summit League play. Three times he led them to the Summit League tournament championship, finally winning it this spring. They advanced to the NCAA tournament where they lost to No. 1 ranked Nebraska, defeated No. 25 Louisville and were then eliminated by No. 21 Grand Canyon.
Wagner had a long and successful career in the sport. A Washington grad, he had assistant coaching stints at Central Arizona, Utah, Washington and Arizona State. He was the associate head coach on two Arizona State teams that won national championships, and also served as the head coach at Odessa and Scottsdale Junior College.
Wagner's top assistant, Shannon Pivovar, is likely to be a candidate for the job. She's been at USD for the last three seasons and prior to that spent four years as the top assistant at South Dakota State and then five years as the head coach of the Division II USF Cougars before coming to Vermillion.
Gretta Melsted, head coach of Division II powerhouse Augustana, could also be a candidate.