Paul Rudolph returns for his seventh season at the helm of the Minot State University football program.
Rudolph will lead the Beavers into the 2013 season after going 3-8 in their first season as members of NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The signature win of 2012, came against NSIC rival University of Mary. The Beavers beat the Marauders 32-21 at Herb Parker Stadium.
Rudolph had some great success early in his coaching career at Minot State, leading the Beavers to the NAIA Playoffs for the first time in eight seasons in 2009. Also that same season, he helped win a share of the Dakota Athletic Conference title, the second time in three seasons.
He was named the DAC Coach of the Year in 2007, in which the Beavers established two conference records - team interceptions in a single season (24) and individual interceptions for a single season (nine), by Nicholas Marshall.
The interceptions helped the Beavers to an impressive plus-8 in the turnover margin, a stat the Beavers are plus-20 in Rudolph's four seasons.
In 2010 the Beaver's stopped Mayville State behind the line 17 times in their contest on September 18, that was the highest total in the conference for a single game. The special teams unit also produced the longest kick return in the conference in their opening game against Bemidji State as Johnny Lester returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Rudolph also coached Lester to VSN All-American honors as well as the DAC MVP.
The Beavers were the top rushing team in the DAC in 2008 and led the conference in total offense in 2007.
Rudolph is a graduate of Minot State University in 1988 where he played quarterback for the Beavers for four seasons. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education. He also participated in track and field, holding the Beavers outdoor track and field javelin record of 203-feet-1 to this date. He was inducted into the Minot State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995.Â
Rudolph comes to Minot State from St. Cloud State, in St. Cloud, Minn., where he was the Offensive Coordinator and offensive line coach for seven seasons. During his time as SCSU, the Huskies established 26 singles season, 21 single game and nine individual offensive school records. In 2005, Rudolph helped SCSU to 418.6 yards per game and over 30 points per game. He coached 13 first team, 11 second team and two honorable mention All-North Central Conference performers. Rudolph helped the Huskies to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2004 and an NCC title in 2002.
Prior to his work at St. Cloud, Rudolph was the head football coach at Upper Iowa in Fayette, Iowa from 1991-99. He was also the Athletic Director for Upper Iowa from 1996-99, offensive coordinator for the football team from 1990-93 and served as the head track and field coach. In 1992, UI posted its first winning record in 26 seasons as Rudolph led the school to a 6-4 record. He was named the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the year in 1992. Twice UI finished with 7-3 records (1994, 1997) and UI was ranked in the top 10 in NCAA Division II for total defense in 1999. His teams broke 22 school records for offense during his time at Upper Iowa and the 1992 squad was ranked second in the nation at a lofty 456.8 yards per game. Along with his on field accolades, Rudolph also graduated every senior football player with the exception of two during his tenure at UI.
Rudolph holds a Master of Arts Degree in Physical Education and Recreation from the University of South Dakota. He was a graduate assistant football coach for USD prior to his time at Upper Iowa.
He is a member of both the American Football Coaches Association and the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association.
He is originally from Stanley, N.D., and is a 1984 graduate of Stanley High School. Rudolph and his wife, Renae, have three children, Zachary, McKenzie and Creighton. Zachary, a former wide receiver, played underneath his father for four seasons at Minot State.
At Minot State:
|
Season |
Win |
Losses |
Conference Finish |
National Finish |
All-Conference |
All-American |
|
2007 |
6 |
4 |
Tied 1st |
- |
6 - First Team
3 - Second Team |
- |
|
2008 |
6 |
4 |
Tied 3rd |
- |
5 - First Team
2 - Second Team
|
Nick Banks |
|
2009 |
8 |
3 |
Tied 1st |
Quailfied |
6 - First Team
4 - Second Team |
Brian Rohles |
|
2010 |
6 |
4 |
Tied 2nd |
- |
3 - First Team
3 - Second Team |
Johnny Lester |
|
2011 |
2 |
8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2012 |
3 |
8 |
12th |
- |
5 - Second Team
4 - Honorable Mention |
- |
|
TOTAL |
31 |
31 |
- |
1 |
20 - First
17 - Second |
3 |
|
CAREER |
74 |
78 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
