Jim Heinitz Bio
Brad Salem Bio<>
Jim Heinitz, the winningest football coach in Augustana College history, today resigned his position with the Vikings in order to take an administrative position at the college.
In addition, Augustana director of athletics
Bill Gross, announced that
Brad Salem, the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, has been named the new head football coach, effective immediately.
Heinitz will join the Augustana College administration as Director of Development. He begins his new job in January.
According to Heinitz, his decision to step down as head football coach had nothing to do with the team’s 3-8 record this season.
“My intent was to come back as head coach,” Heinitz said. “However, over the last 10 days an opportunity arose at the college that allowed me to stay. I just felt this is something that I would enjoy doing and it allowed me to stay here. I felt the time was right.
“I want to thank all of the Augie community for their support, especially the athletic staff, Bill Gross, my assistant football coaches over the years and all of the players, and the commitment they’ve given to our program,” Heinitz added. “It has truly been a privilege to coach here as long as I have. I’m excited about the future of Augie football and Augustana College.”
As for the future of Augustana football, Salem said he is grateful to be following in Heinitz’s footsteps.
“I am thankful for this opportunity to be at Augustana College,” Salem said. “It’s a special place to be. It also means a lot to take over for someone like Coach Heinitz, someone who has had such an impact on my life, not only as a player, but as a coach as well.”
Heinitz impacted the lives of hundreds of Viking football players. No one spent as many seasons, or won as many games, on the Viking sidelines. In 17 seasons, Heinitz compiled an 82-102-1 record. His most successful run came from 1988-90 when the Vikings posted a 21-12-1 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1988 and 1989. Those teams are the last teams from South Dakota to reach the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The Vikings also enjoyed tremendous success in the classroom during Heinitz’s tenure. Augustana’s 83 percent graduation rate for 2004 is the highest graduation rate among the North Central Conference teams, and well above the national average of 69 percent.
Overall, Heinitz coached 49 All-North Central Conference players, 48 Academic All-NCC selections, 14 All-Americans and 9 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
“In the history of Augustana athletics, Jim Heinitz stands out as one of our outstanding coaches,” Gross said. “His integrity, values and caring attitude has had a positive impact on so many players who have gone through the football program. We will miss Jim, but we know he will serve the college well in his new fundraising role in the Advancement Office.”
Heinitz, who was a Viking assistant coach for three seasons from 1982-84 before becoming head coach, was also the architect of one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Augustana’s sports history. In 1991, the Vikings were winless in 10 starts. The following year Augie went 8-3. The team was picked to finish last in the NCC and the reversal earned Heinitz North Central Conference Coach of the Year honors for the second time. At one point in the season the Vikings reached No. 9 in the Division II poll. The team was led by future pros Heath Rylance (quarterback), Corbin Lacina (offensive line) and Bryan Schwartz (linebacker).
In 2000 and again in 2002 Augustana posted 7-4 records. The 2002 team, led by unheralded quarterback Graham Van Horn, won two of three games that went into overtime.
This season the Vikings opened the season with a 3-1 record before settling for a 3-8 mark. Augustana opened NCC action by going toe-to-toe with the University of North Dakota before losing 13-7 at Howard Wood Field. The Fighting Sioux have advanced to this weekend’s Division II semifinals.
“For 20 years, Coach Jim Heinitz has represented Augustana with integrity, fairness, and honor,” Augustana president
Dr. Bruce Halverson said. “He has set the standard for our coaches. We are exceptionally proud of Coach Heinitz and the players and coaches that have been on his teams. We were strongly committed to his continuing as our coach, but he asked for a new assignment. Today, we thank him for his many years of admirable service as our coach and welcome him to the college administration where he will continue representing the values of Augustana with the outstanding qualities for which he is known.”
In his new role at Augustana, Heinitz will work with alumni and friends of the college and encourage their financial support for all areas, including scholarships, annual support campaigns, and capital projects.
“Jim is a tremendous addition to our staff,” said
Brian MacGregor, Vice President for College Advancement. “His fundraising experience, the contacts he has made over the years and his dedication to Augustana’s mission are valuable assets. He will make our strong Advancement team even stronger.”
Salem, 34, becomes the 20th head coach in Augustana football history. A 1992 Augustana graduate, Salem played quarterback and wide receiver for the Vikings from 1990-92 after transferring to Augustana from Northern Arizona University. After his graduation, Salem spent the next 10 years coaching at various levels before returning to Augustana in 2003 to become the Vikings’ quarterbacks’ coach. In 2004, he was promoted to offensive coordinator.
“We feel fortunate and excited to have a person on our staff with the experience and values we like to see in our coaches at Augustana,” Gross said. “Brad has the knowledge and personal traits which we feel will lead us to a bright future for our football program.”
Halverson echoed Gross’ sentiments.
“The college is most fortunate to have on its coaching staff a young coach with the integrity, talent and experience to lead our football team in the years ahead,” Halverson said. “As an Augustana alumnus, Brad Salem understands the unique demands of coaching at an institution where rigorous academic standards, faith, and values serve as the foundation for all of our programs. We welcome Coach Salem and we are confident that he will be an outstanding leader for the team and the college.”
Salem began his coaching career in 1993 as the offensive coordinator for the Robinson Sphinx of the European Professional Football League in Paris, France. He then returned to Augustana in the fall of 1993 to serve as a student assistant coach, where he coached the defensive backs.
From 1994-96, Salem was a graduate assistant coach at Michigan State University, where he worked under George Perles and Nick Saban.
After Michigan State, Salem spent the 1996 season as the defensive coordinator at Lansing (Mich.) Everett High School. Next, he spent three seasons at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where was the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
In 2000, he joined the coaching staff at the University of South Dakota where he spent three seasons as the Coyotes’ recruiting coordinator and passing game coordinator.
Salem comes from a family of football coaches. His father Joe was the head coach at the University of South Dakota, Northern Arizona University and the University of Minnesota; his older brother Tim is the offensive coordinator at the University of Central Florida and his twin brother Brent is the offensive coordinator at Sioux Falls O’Gorman High School.
