Former Tulane defensive coordinator joins Bison staff

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FARGO — Former Tulane defensive coordinator Steve Stanard, who has Midwest ties dating all the way back to Craig Bohl’s alma mater Nebraska, will be the new linebackers coach at North Dakota State.

The Bison head coach said Friday Stanard has a “great understanding” of the Tampa 2 defense, which is NDSU’s base look.

“He just brings a great background,” Bohl said. “He’s a Midwest guy and he’s excited about being here.”

Stanard was part of a Tulane staff that was let go after the 2011 season.

Prior to Tulane, Stanard spent one year at Ohio University, which is led by former Nebraska head coach Frank Solich.

Two Ohio assistants, Jimmy Burrow and Tim Albin, also were assistants under Bohl at NDSU.

He operated in the Tampa 2 for five years at Colorado State from 2003-07. The Rams reached two bowl games in that span.

He coached six seasons at New Mexico State — three as defensive ends/outside linebackers coach and three as the defensive coordinator. He began his career in 1988 at Nebraska as a student assistant and was a graduate assistant in 1989.

He went from there to Nebraska Wesleyan, where he was the defensive coordinator, head coach and also assistant athletic director.

“A lot of people applied but he was the most qualified person,” Bohl said. “I don’t think you can find a match this good.”

Kolpack is a sports reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, which is owned by Forum Communications Co.

Tags: ndsu bison, college football, steve stanard, craig bohl, sports, football