Augustana University Athletics

Joe Salem, a figure synonymous with football in South Dakota and Minnesota over the past 40 years, joined the Augustana coaching staff in 2006 as the Vikings' quarterbacks' coach.

Salem, the father of Augustana head coach Brad Salem, returned to the sidelines for the first time since retiring in 1983. A native of Sioux Falls, Salem was a three-year letterwinner at the University of Minnesota as a reserve quarterback. A member of the Gophers' 1960 national championship team, Salem began his coaching career with the Gophers following his playing career.

After five years at Minnesota, Salem was named the head coach at the University of South Dakota in 1966. Inheriting a team that won a total of nine games in the six previous seasons, Salem led the Coyotes to the top of the North Central Conference standings. In nine years at USD, Salem amassed a 51-38-2 record. His 1972, 1973 and 1974 teams all tied for the NCC championship. He presently ranks third on USD's career wins list.

Salem then spent four seasons as the head coach at Northern Arizona University from 1975-78. He compiled a 26-17 record during that time, including winning the 1978 Big Sky Conference title with an 8-2 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in the Big Sky.

After his successful stint at Northern Arizona, Salem returned to the Upper Midwest as head coach at the University of Minnesota. From 1979-83, he had a 19-35-1 five-year record at his alma mater.

Following his retirement in 1983, Salem, who played high school football for his father Nusier, began grooming another generation of coaches. Three of Salem's sons are active in coaching football.

Salem, who graduated from Minnesota in 1961, is a member of the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame and the Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame.

Salem and his wife Susan have four children: Tim, Wade, Brad and Brent. The couple, who live in Sioux Falls, have 11 grandchildren.