Jimmies’ new head coach building foundation

• Shawn Frank

Photo by John M. Steiner/Forum Communications Co. Shawn Frank speaks after being named Jamestown College’s new head football coach on Jan. 9. The Hettinger native is working to make sure the Jimmies are competitive in his first season.

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JAMESTOWN — Shawn Frank has hit the ground, or more specifically, the recruiting trail running.

The new Jamestown College head football coach has already inked 34 recruits since being hired in early January and still has a handful on the hook.

“It’s going good. We’re building the program from the foundation up,” said Frank, a Hettinger native. “Anytime there’s change, there’s going to be a transition period, but the players have bought into the fact that we’re going to create as much competition within our team as possible. We’re making progress in that regard.”

Spring football is also rapidly approaching.

The Jimmies will have three practices the second and third weeks of April, with four more the fourth week capped by the spring game April 27. Everything is contingent on the weather holding, of course, but they’re excited to get back on the field.

“I’m pretty happy with the offseason stuff and the commitment our players are showing,” Frank said. “That part is really important. We have to be getting better individually, and as a team.”

The big incoming class won’t arrive until the fall, but several are expected to compete for playing time right away.

“Ultimately, what we really like about the kids we’re bringing in is that they have a passion for the game,” Frank said. “We like the potential they have, but these kids love to play. We’re going to work our tails off to develop them as football players and hopefully they have success in our program and academically at our college.”

They specifically sought to bolster the offensive and defensive lines. They also needed additional depth in the defensive backfield.

It’s a geographically eclectic group, with a heavy Texas imprint, which should be a boon considering high school football in the Lone Star state is practically religion.

“Kids down there have a football in their hands five minutes after they’re born,” Frank said jokingly. “Texas has been really good for us.”

It’s also a versatile group.

“We have some kids that could fill multiple positions. Now it’s up to us as a coaching staff to see where everybody fits best,” Frank said. “Overall, we’re making good, steady progress in a lot of ways. We feel like up to this point, it’s been a good offseason.”

Selvig is the sports editor of

The Jamestown Sun, which is owned

by Forum Communications Co.

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