Happy Hour with John Gaskins

In the last 50 years of USD football, only one three-year stretch rivals the success and buzz of the last three.
 
Scott Jones has been a major part of both runs.
 
The Coyotes' starting quarterback of the 1985 and '86 teams — both of which won at least 10 games and reached the semifinals — is also one of the most influential alumni and boosters in the USD stratosphere. 
 
Born and raised in Sioux Falls and still living there, Jones is seemingly doing whatever it takes to ensure USD doesn't just extend its three-year streak of reaching the FCS quarterfinals, but breaks through to its first FCS national championship game, which in 2026 would be its first title appearance since Jones led the Yotes to the 1986 Div. II final.
 
In July 2024, the school announced Jones, the president of water tower construction company Maguire Iron, had made the largest private family gift contribution the USD athletic department had ever received (T. Denny Sanford's $20 million a year later would surpass the donation).
 
"Seven figures" went into the newest phase of DakotaDome renovations and the Jones' gift was also poured into "general athletic scholarships and event support for the entirety of the USD athletic department."
 
The offensive coordinator position was renamed "The Scott and Lisa Jones Family Offensive Coordinator," currently held by Tim Morrison.  
 
Jones generated offense by the truckload during his time in Vermillion under young head coach Dave Triplett. 
 
The O'Gorman alumnus still holds five school records, including career rushing touchdowns (37), most rushing yards by a quarterback in one season (883 in 1986), most rushing touchdowns in a game (5 vs SDSU in 1986) and most points scored in a game (30, same game).
 
His last game at USD was a 27-7 loss to North Dakota State in that 1986 Div. II national championship, after which Triplett famously quipped of the Bison, "I wish they'd get the hell out of Division II." 
 
NDSU would win two more D2 titles before moving to the FCS in 2004 with South Dakota State. USD and UND stayed in Div. II for four more seasons before joining their in-state rivals in D1.
 
Now, with the Bison having moved out of the FCS and into the FBS starting this fall, and with plenty wondering if schools like USD and SDSU will join them eventually, Jones weighs in on the arms race he is part of as a high-level donor.
 
How much of his contributions go to NIL? Does does Jones believe USD will have the resources it takes to move up a class like the Bison?
 
In an over 50-minute Happy Hour conversation at Gibs Sports Bar near his home on the east side of Sioux Falls, Jones answers these questions and takes a stroll down memory lane from his days in Vermillion and at O'Gorman, where he played for legendary coach Bob Burns and led the Knights to the first ever Class 11AA state championship of the playoff era in 1981. 
 
Before the Jones chat, the Happy Hour host updated the Yotes' current QB situation — the three-horse race appears to be far from done — and walked through SDSU's national championship hopes, which he feels are aided by the high volume of walk-ons who will play key roles in 2026.

In the last 50 years of USD football, only one three-year stretch rivals the success and buzz of the last three.
 
Scott Jones has been a major part of both runs.
 
The Coyotes' starting quarterback of the 1985 and '86 teams — both of which won at least 10 games and reached the semifinals — is also one of the most influential alumni and boosters in the USD stratosphere. 
 
Born and raised in Sioux Falls and still living there, Jones is seemingly doing whatever it takes to ensure USD doesn't just extend its three-year streak of reaching the FCS quarterfinals, but breaks through to its first FCS national championship game, which in 2026 would be its first title appearance since Jones led the Yotes to the 1986 Div. II final.
 
In July 2024, the school announced Jones, the president of water tower construction company Maguire Iron, had made the largest private family gift contribution the USD athletic department had ever received (T. Denny Sanford's $20 million a year later would surpass the donation).
 
"Seven figures" went into the newest phase of DakotaDome renovations and the Jones' gift was also poured into "general athletic scholarships and event support for the entirety of the USD athletic department."
 
The offensive coordinator position was renamed "The Scott and Lisa Jones Family Offensive Coordinator," currently held by Tim Morrison.  
 
Jones generated offense by the truckload during his time in Vermillion under young head coach Dave Triplett. 
 
The O'Gorman alumnus still holds five school records, including career rushing touchdowns (37), most rushing yards by a quarterback in one season (883 in 1986), most rushing touchdowns in a game (5 vs SDSU in 1986) and most points scored in a game (30, same game).
 
His last game at USD was a 27-7 loss to North Dakota State in that 1986 Div. II national championship, after which Triplett famously quipped of the Bison, "I wish they'd get the hell out of Division II." 
 
NDSU would win two more D2 titles before moving to the FCS in 2004 with South Dakota State. USD and UND stayed in Div. II for four more seasons before joining their in-state rivals in D1.
 
Now, with the Bison having moved out of the FCS and into the FBS starting this fall, and with plenty wondering if schools like USD and SDSU will join them eventually, Jones weighs in on the arms race he is part of as a high-level donor.
 
How much of his contributions go to NIL? Does does Jones believe USD will have the resources it takes to move up a class like the Bison?
 
In an over 50-minute Happy Hour conversation at Gibs Sports Bar near his home on the east side of Sioux Falls, Jones answers these questions and takes a stroll down memory lane from his days in Vermillion and at O'Gorman, where he played for legendary coach Bob Burns and led the Knights to the first ever Class 11AA state championship of the playoff era in 1981. 
 
Before the Jones chat, the Happy Hour host updated the Yotes' current QB situation — the three-horse race appears to be far from done — and walked through SDSU's national championship hopes, which he feels are aided by the high volume of walk-ons who will play key roles in 2026.

The Happy Hour host updated the Yotes' current QB situation — the three-horse race appears to be far from done — explained why a lack of starters from the 2025 offensive line doesn't make for a shaky 2026 line, and walked through SDSU's national championship hopes, which he feels are aided by the high volume of walk-ons who will play key roles in 2026.

Each week, the South Dakota Sports Lounge gives you a look at some of the best sports talk across the state. This week, we focus on football as kickoff is just 2 weeks away. 
 
Happy Hour with John Gaskins: Head coach of the Jackrabbits, Dan Jackson, joins Happy Hour from SDSU Media Day in Brookings. He talks about expectations for the coming season and how he believes depth will help with some of the issues the team saw last year.
 
Hot Mic with Dom Izzo: We feature an interview with Sam Herder on the state of the FCS as a whole as NDSU moves onto the FBS.
 
Nate Brown Show:  Nate has a 1-on-1 with Jon Schemmel, USD's Athletic Director, on the state of USD Athletics heading into the fall.
 
Hog Wild: Zach Borg presents a feature on SDSU's offensive line, which looks to lead a resurgence

Eric Eidsness is in his fourth stint at SDSU and his second season as offensive coordinator under Jackson. When in the same role under Stiegelmeier, Eidsness led some of the most explosive offenses in Jacks history.
 
With uber-talented senior Chase Mason at quarterback and almost the entire offensive line and top receivers back, what does Eidsness foresee with a potentially lethal 2026 offense?
 
How has Mason evolved as both a QB and leader since a promising 2025 season cut short by injury (before returning late in the season)? 
 
Who is emerging as the No. 2 QB behind Mason? Who is emerging as the top running back... or will it be an RB-by-committee?