The 1979 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakotaas a member of the North Central Conference (NCC) during the 1979 NCAA Division II football season.
Led by first-year head coach Dave Triplett, the Coyotes compiled an overall record of 5–6 with a mark of 3–3 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the NCC.
South Dakota and South Dakota State played two head-to-head games, both won by the Jackrabbits, which counted as one loss for South Dakota and one win for South Dakota State in the conference standings.
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