After serving 27 years with the Augustana football program, Don Pierson joined the athletic administration staff in the spring of 2013. Pierson is responsible for athletic event management and game operations for the athletic department.Â
A 1983 graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University, Pierson coached football at Nebraska-Kearney and Southwest Minnesota State prior to joining the Augustana staff.
In 2012 he was the Vikings’ special teams’ coordinator and defensive line coach. The previous season Augustana led the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in rushing defense and was second in total defense. The 2010 team set a school record for wins (11) and led the conference in defending the rush and total defense.
From 2009-2011 Pierson coached five All-NSIC players on the defensive line, including Ben Wardell, who was chosen to the 2011 Don Hansen Division II All-Super Region third team. Defensive tackle Brady Maclver was selected to the 2010 All-NSIC first team defensive unit and accepted an invitation to play in the Cactus Bowl.
Pierson also coached Austin Flyger, the North Central Conference’s most valuable defensive lineman in 2003.
In addition to his coaching duties, Pierson was the home event manager for men’s and women’s basketball.
Pierson and his wife, Shelly, have two children, Tyler and Emilee.
