Northern State University Athletics

Arlin Likness graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelor of Science in social science and physical education with composite health in 1979 and is the 2026 Kretchman Coaching Award recipient. Likness has taught and coached in the State of South Dakota for 39 years, serving the communities of Beresford, Hamlin, and Yankton in the sports of football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. He is the fifth winningest head football coach in South Dakota High School history.
 
Likness holds a head football coaching record of 261-101 in 38 years of work, with seven South Dakota State Championships and three runner-up finish. In addition, he adds two state championships to his resume as an assistant. In total, Likness has coached in 13 state championship games, winning nine of them. As an assistant on staff with the boys and girls basketball programs at Hamlin and Yankton, Likness made 16 South Dakota State Tournament appearances, winning two championships. He was named the Assistant Coach of the Year in 1992, 1993, and 2001. Finally, his track and field programs won three state championships.
 
Likness's honors include the 2013 Royal Order of the Gyps Alumni of the Year, 2015 SD Sports Writer's Coach of the Year, SDHSCA Max Hawk Award, SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award, the Don Baker Award for Excellence in Coaching, seven South Dakota Football Region Coach of the Year Awards, five South Dakota Football Coach of the Year Awards, the ESD Conference Award of Merit, and a 2-time finalist for the National Power of Influence Award. He is a member of the South Dakota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2010), South Dakota High School Coaches Hall of Fame (2017), Hamlin Hall of Fame (2024 & 2026), National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2025), Yankton Athletic Hall of Fame (2026).
 
Likness has served the South Dakota High School Coaches Association, National High School Coaches Association, South Dakota High School Football Coaches Association, South Dakota High School Football Advisory Board, South Dakota Coaches Foundation Board of Directors, Hayti Lutheran Congregation, Trinty Lutheran Congregation, F.C.A. Leadership Board of Directors, South Dakota Education Association, ST Dysmas of SD member of prison ministries, Worship Life Committee Choir, Yankton Booster Club, and Yankton ELCA.
 
Arlin is married to his wife of 40-plus year, Kristine, and the pair have four children, Jordan, Kara, Kalli, and Jase, and one grandchild, Harper.