SIOUX FALLS -- Hayden Mace has been named the Offensive Coordinator for the University of Sioux Falls Football Team, according to an announcement today by USF Head Football Coach Jon Anderson.

 

Mace, who is beginning his third year with USF, will take over the play-calling role for the Cougars while also serving as Offensive Line Coach at USF.

With the promotion of Mace, USF Head Coach Jon Anderson's focus is continuity of an offense which has been one of the league's best and ranked in the top 40 nationally three of the past four years. USF's rushing game has been among the best nationally, finishing statistically in the top 25 in three of the last four years while leading the NSIC twice and top four in each of the last four seasons.

 "I am very excited to move our offense forward under Coach (Hayden) Mace's guidance," said USF sixth-year Head Coach Jon Anderson, whose team was 8-3 in 2021 with its 27^th consecutive winning season, a mark that ranks fourth best across all NCAA divisions.  "Hayden is highly organized, has a strong work ethic and a creative offensive mindset which will enable him to transition into an outstanding play-caller. We share an established trust, respect and understanding that will enable us to maximize the talent on our team.  He is definitely the right person for this job and I am confident that our offense is in great hands under Coach Mace's leadership," added Anderson, whose USF teams have made two NCAA DII playoff appearances in four seasons.
 
In 2021, Mace was part of the USF staff that directed the Cougars to its second NSIC South Division title and was fifth overall. USF led the NSIC in rushing at 217.6 yards per game (419 carries for 2,394 yards) and 28 TDs and ranked seventh in the NSIC with 413.3 yards per game. USF was 31^st in DII and third in the NSIC in third down conversion at 44.4 percent (64-of-144). USF ranked fifth in DII and first in the league in completion percentage at 66.5 percent, which in large part was enabled by an offensive front which allowed just 0.73 sacks per game for sixth in DII and second in the NSIC.    

USF, which has averaged 31.84 points per game over the past 46 games (since 2017), has rushed for an average of 223.5 yards per game with NSIC rushing titles in 2018 and 2021. In total offense, USF has totaled 421.2 yards per game and 6.15 yards per play which has been in the top seven in the NSIC all four years with a top-five placement three times. In fact, twice USF has surpassed 5,000 total yards and at least 4,500 yards all four years.

"I'm humbled by this incredible opportunity and grateful to Dr. (Brett) Bradfield, Athletic Director Pam Gohl, and Coach Anderson for their faith in me," said Mace, who joined the USF staff in 2020. "It brings me a lot of pride to be able to continue to wear the USF logo, alongside the rest of our staff, and develop men of character and service. A huge thank you is also due to my wife (Katie), our entire staff, and our players – all of whom have played a huge role in my ability to take on this new role," added Mace.

Prior to joining the USF staff, Mace was a graduate assistant coach at Utah State University (January, 2019 to March, 2020) for then Head Coach Gary Anderson.

From 2017-19, Mace was an offensive quality control coach at Eastern Washington University where he assisted Head Coach Aaron Best and Offensive Coordinator Bodie Reeder with quarterbacks, the offensive line and tight ends. Eastern Washington made an appearance in the 2018-19 national title game and finished second in the country.  

In addition, Mace served as an offensive analyst in 2016 at Linfield College, where he had been a team captain and was a standout on the offensive line from 2008-2011.  

He and his wife, Katie, who are both from of Bend, Ore., live in Sioux Falls.

USF has nine straight winning seasons in football since joining the NSIC in 2012. In addition, the program's .777 winning percentage in NSIC games is the best across the conference. USF, which has had four NCAA DII playoff appearances and five postseason berths in its DII era (since 2012), has registered seven or more wins in seven consecutive seasons and eight of nine seasons at NCAA DII. In the past four years, USF has made two playoff appearances, won the NSIC South Division title and compiled a 32-12 record in NSIC play.  Fifty-one players have been named All-NSIC since 2017 and 123 overall since 2012. Also, USF has performed in the classroom with 93 Academic All-NSIC honorees since 2017 and 213 overall.