Voice of the Coyotes

Play-by-Play broadcaster for University of South Dakota football and men’s basketball

John Thayer is the play-by-play broadcaster on the Coyote Sports Network/Learfield for the University of South Dakota. John began in this role in the 2020-2021 academic year and has broadcast some of the biggest moments in Coyote history, including he football program’s first ever trip to the FCS quarterfinals, first trip to the FCS semifinals, a Hail Mary to knock off in-state rival South Dakota State and more.

John also hosts a weekly coaches show, Coyote Report, where he interviews coaches and student-athletes at the University of South Dakota. In addition to that, John produces a daily two-minute update on Coyote athletics that is shared across the network and hosts a podcast called YoteCast, which was established to interview student-athletes, administrators and coaches.

John began at the University of South Dakota in the 2013-2014 season where he broadcast women’s basketball games, including the programs first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament. He also worked as a sideline reporter for Coyote football.