SMSU Athletics

Scott Underwood is in his fourth season as head coach at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2025. The 11th head football coach in team history, Underwood was named to the position on Jan. 7, 2022.
 
During his first season on the Mustang sideline, Underwood led SMSU to a 4-7 record, recording the most victories for the program since the 2018 season. SMSU opened the season with a 4-1 record, including winning four straight games for the first time since 2015. The team dealt with multiple injuries on both sides of the ball in the second half of the season, including starting three different quarterbacks.

SMSU suffered several close losses during the 2023 season, but closed the season earning a home victory over the University of Sioux Falls. The victory was the program's first win over USF in 11 attempts during the Division II era.

Underwood has compiled a three-year mark of 6-27 at SMSU and is 92-78 overall in 15 seasons as a head coach.

Underwood came to SMSU after recording 10 winning seasons with three NCAA playoff appearances in 12 seasons (2008-19) as head coach at St. Cloud State University. The 2011 NSIC Coach of the Year, Underwood compiled a record of 86-51 in 12 seasons, before the program was eliminated following the 2019 season. His teams won seven or more games seven times, including a school record 12 victories in 2013. The Huskies made NCAA playoff appearances in 2010, 2011 and 2013 and won a share of both the NSIC North Division and NSIC overall championship in 2011.
 
In his third season as head coach in 2010, Underwood led SCSU to 10 victories and its first NCAA playoff appearance in six seasons. SCSU won its first-round playoff game before losing to the eventual national champion in overtime in the second round. SCSU captured a share of both the NSIC North Division and NSIC overall championship in 2011 and advanced to the NCAA playoffs. SCSU set a team record in 2013 by winning 12 games and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs before losing to the eventual national champions. SCSU was ranked No. 5 in the final national polls and broke a team record with 24 pass interceptions.
 
Prior to taking over as head coach at SCSU, Underwood served as defensive coordinator for the Huskies (2001-07). Led by Underwood, the SCSU defense ranked among the best in the North Central Conference in the last seven seasons of the league. SCSU won a share of the NCC title in 2002 and hosted a first round NCAA playoff game in 2004.
 
Underwood has achieved tremendous success at each of his previous assistant coaching stops. He was the inside linebackers coach at the University of North Dakota for four seasons (1997-2000), helping lead UND to a pair of NCAA playoff appearances.
 
Underwood served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Sioux Falls for four seasons (1993-96), assisting the Cougars to three conference championships and three NAIA playoff appearances, including the 1996 NAIA Division II National Championship.
 
Underwood began his coaching career at his alma mater, Augustana University, where he spent five seasons as the defensive secondary coach (1988-92). The Vikings made back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances in 1988 and 1989 and won eight games three different times.
 
Underwood was a four-year letter winner as a defensive back for the Vikings while earning a degree in social sciences. He earned his master’s degree from the University of South Dakota.
 
Scott and his wife, Tamara, have two children, Casey and Brady.
 
Underwood’s Coaching Career
2022-present – Southwest Minnesota State University (Head Coach)
2008-19 – St. Cloud State University (Head Coach)
2001-07 – St. Cloud State University (Defensive Coordinator)
1997-2000 – University of North Dakota (Linebackers)
1993-96 – University of Sioux Falls (Defensive Coordinator)
1988-92 – Augustana University (Defensive Secondary/Special Teams)