Spencer Capitani enters his fourth season as the University of Sioux Falls defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach in 2026.
Capitani has overseen the Cougar defense since arriving on campus in 2023, helping guide USF to continued success in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. During the 2025 season, the Cougars allowed just 26.2 points per game and held opposing offenses to 177.3 passing yards per contest while limiting quarterbacks to a 56.6 percent completion rate. His defense also generated 13 forced fumbles, recovered five and recorded seven interceptions while holding opponents to a 41.4 percent conversion rate on third down.
In 2024, Capitani helped lead the Cougars to an 8-3 record and a tie for second place in the NSIC standings. USF had 13 student-athletes earn All-NSIC recognition, while 15 student-athletes were named to the NSIC All-Academic Team and 20 earned NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors.
Capitani joined USF following five seasons at Central Washington University, where he helped develop one All-American, one all-region selection and 10 all-conference honorees. During his tenure, the Wildcats captured three conference championships, advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2021 and earned national recognition during the 2022 season.
Prior to Central Washington, Capitani spent two seasons at Minnesota State, serving as the cornerbacks coach for one of the nation's premier Division II programs. During his time in Mankato, the Mavericks compiled a 21-4 record, won the 2017 NSIC Championship and fielded the ninth-ranked defense in the country. He also coached two all-conference defensive backs and helped guide Minnesota State to a No. 1 national ranking.
Capitani began his coaching career at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he coached the cornerbacks and coordinated the special teams and offensive scout teams.
A standout player at Wartburg College, Capitani earned All-America honors as a cornerback and was named the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He also garnered multiple all-region and all-conference honors and served as a team captain during his senior season, helping lead the Knights to back-to-back conference championships and a 12-1 record.
Capitani earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Wartburg College and later completed his master's degree in sports administration and coaching from Concordia University Irvine. He and his wife, Marisa, reside in Sioux Falls.
Updated 6/16/2026
