RAPID CITY, S.D. – After serving the past two seasons in the head role, South Dakota Mines soccer head coach Bill Schaefer has announced his resignation.
 
Schaefer has led the Hardrockers as interim head coach and full-time head coach since 2023, after serving as an assistant coach in 2022.
 
"Bill has been an integral part of our men's soccer program, and we're truly grateful for all he's done," said Athletics Director David Crum. "His hard work, passion, and energy have positively impacted our student-athletes and the program as a whole. While we're sad to see him step away, we completely respect his decision to focus on family and wish him the best in the future."
 
Schaefer led the team through the last two years, helping the program reach milestones and new heights. The program earned an RMAC Player of the Week award each season, a first within the program in nearly five years.
 
Twenty-two student-athletes earned RMAC academic honors under Schaefer's direction, a significant improvement over the program's previous two years, doubling the number from 11 in 2021 and 2022.
 
Coach Schaefer helped Hayden Jaramillo become one of the most decorated players in program history. Jaramillo ended his career in the fall of 2024, tied for the school's all-time assist lead.
 
"I want to thank the South Dakota Mines athletic department, interim president Dr. Roberts, and the administration team for its support of the soccer program throughout my time as an assistant and head coach," noted Bill Schaefer. This is a hard decision, but one that is not made lightly, as my family and I feel that moving on from South Dakota is the right decision. I wish nothing but success for the future of the South Dakota Mines soccer program. It has been a truly humbling experience to work with exceptional and hardworking student-athletes for the love of the game."
 
A national search for a new head coach will take place. In the interim, current assistant coach Rob Reagan will serve in the role.
 
You can find the latest on South Dakota Mines soccer all year long on X and Instagram (@hardrockermsoc), while also following on Facebook at Hardrocker Soccer. The latest on South Dakota Mines athletics can be found by following us on X at @GoHardrockers, hardrockerathletics on Instagram and Hardrocker Athletics on Facebook.
 
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 13 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.