Jim Heinitz - Inducted 2024

Jim Heinitz graduated from Mountain Lake (MN) High School in 1968 and from SDSU in 1973, where he was an all-conference linebacker. In 1977, he became the head football coach at Rapid City Stevens, leading the Raiders to a 7-2 record and a #2 state ranking with seven shutouts. He retired in 1978 to go into the furniture business for 16 years with his friend Bill Hinks at Furniture Mart and retired as CEO in 2021. He came out of retirement to become the offensive line coach at Augustana College in 1982.

Coach Heinitz was named the Vikings’ head coach on November 10, 1984. He served until 1992, achieving three eight-win seasons, and was named North Central Coach of the Year and SD College Coach of the Year in both 1988 and 1992. His 1988 and 1989 teams both advanced to the first round of the DII national playoffs. Heinitz resigned after the 1992 season to return to private business but returned to Augustana in December 1995, continuing until his retirement after the 2004 season. He surpassed “Lefty” Olson as the longest-serving head coach in Augustana’s history in 2002 and became the school’s all-time winningest coach in 2003. His career record was 82-102-1. Heinitz also coached five players who had professional careers in the NFL or CFL: Heath Rylance, Troy Westwood, Corbin Lacina, Bryan Schwartz, and Kevin Kaesviharn. He was an assistant football coach at the University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Washington, and Lincoln High Schools. As head girls’ track & field coach at Sioux Falls Washington, his team won the State A track championship in 1977. He also served on the Board of Directors of the South Dakota High School Activities Association.

Heinitz and wife, Becky, were blessed with three children: Stacy, Adam, and Heather. They greatly enjoy following nine grandchildren and are looking forward to this fall with five grandsons playing football.