FULL Augie-USF Preview: Zim & John, Coach OJ, Coach Glo

The NSIC is a Division II league, yet Minnesota State has about 3,000-5,000 more students than Division I (FCS) powerhouses South Dakota State (12,100) and South Dakota (10,400). Minnesota-Duluth's student body almost matches USD's enrollment.   If you combined the student bodies of Augustana and the University of Sioux Falls (4,050), MSU would still have nearly four times the enrollment and Minnesota-Duluth would have over twice their combined student bodies.   Not surprisingly, those two giant Minnesota public schools are consistently two of the NSIC's best football programs and occasionally thrust themselves into national championship contention, especially the program in Mankato.   Yet, tiny private institutions Augie and USF, separated literally by two blocks in central Sioux Falls, have been consistent contenders for the league title and Div. II playoffs for over a decade... and they're expected to be stout again in 2026.   How? Why?   Coaching helps, to say the least.    Under Augie all-time wins leader Jerry Olszewski, the Vikings are 91-47 in 12 seasons. In 2023 and '24, he guided the school to its first two conference titles since 1959. Last season, his squad started 9-0 and ascended to a No. 5 national ranking before injuries and a pair of late-season losses kept them out of the postseason. Yet still, Augie completed the first stretch of three consecutive seasons where the Vikings finished ranked in the nation's final Top 25 poll.   Ten of "Coach OJ's" 12 seasons have resulted in a winning record. The Vikings have won at least nine games in four of the last six seasons and achieved at least seven victories in nine of the last 10 campaigns.   Former Minnesota State defensive coordinator Jim Glogowski enters his fourth year as USF coach after posting 8-3 and 7-4 records the last two seasons. His first year in 2023, following a hasty hiring and massive roster overturn, resulted in USF's only losing record (3-8) in the last 32 seasons, a stretch that included the impressive tenures of Bob Young, Kalen DeBoer, Jed Stugart and Jon Anderson. Young's "Winners Win" mentality continues to ring true for the former NAIA four-time national champion that moved up to Div. II in 2011 and the NSIC in '12.    Both coaches joined the Happy Hour host to give "State of the Program" overviews ahead of their season openers next week on Thursday, Aug. 27 — Augie at Missouri Western and USF hosting Black Hills State under the lights.   Hear deep dives into both teams' quarterback rooms — particularly proven starters Gunnar Hensley (Augie) and Tate Schafer (USF) and their trusted backups — plus a thorough scan of the rosters to identify "players to watch."   While both teams are proud of their recent success, both coaches detail the aspects that kept them out of the difficult-to-reach Div. II playoffs last November and how they can reach the postseason in 2026. (A win for either team in the annually-anticipated "Key to the City Game" on Oct. 3 could go a long way.)   Before you hear from the coaches, the Happy Hour host and Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer — who has covered both programs for over 20 years — do their own deep dive into the Vikings and "Coo," including an overview of both squads' demanding schedules. Plus, a cursory overview of the NSIC, Northern State, and Dakota State. The latter two squads have high expectiations for this season, as well.