Copy of story from Minot Daily News (link)

Rudolph pursues passion

By CHRIS BIERI Staff Writer, cbieri@minotdailynews.com

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Chris Bieri/MDN Minot State University head football coach candidate Paul Rudolph meets with members of the media Tuesday in the Christensen room at the MSU Dome. Rudolph, who is currently the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at St. Cloud State University, is one of four prospective coaches that MSU is interviewing on campus.

Paul Rudolph said he has always had a passion for Minot State University.

The Stanley native and 1988 graduate of MSU was on campus Tuesday to interview for the job as the next MSU head football coach. The position opened in November when former coach Mike Sivertson resigned.

“I've always had a bit of a passion for Minot State, ever since I grew up and showed up on campus in 1984,” said Rudolph, who has also been inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame.

Rudolph is currently the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at St. Cloud State University. He has held that position for seven years with the Huskies, who compete in Division II's North Central Conference.

Rudolph's resume also includes head coaching experience. He was the head coach at Upper Iowa University from 1991 until he accepted his current position at St. Cloud State. In addition, he worked as the school's athletic director from 1996-1999. Rudolph was also a graduate assistant at the University of South Dakota from 1988-1990, where he received a master of arts degree.

Rudolph was a finalist for the MSU head football job seven years ago, a job that was eventually offered to Sivertson.

“I've looked back at that,” Rudolph said. “Was it disheartening? Yes, it was disheartening. But I got to work for a great coach (SCSU head coach Randy Hedberg) and a great program... I've got to grow from it.”

Rudolph said the process was advantageous for him both personally and professionally.

While Rudolph said he has mainly recruited in Minnesota and Wisconsin in his current position, he felt his familiarity with the area would make him a strong recruiter of local talent.

Rudolph said it is hard to say exactly what changes he would make to the program if hired.

“I haven't done a thorough enough study,” Rudolph said. “You have to see where things are at and then analyze.”

That aside, he said he would definitely be involved in the offense.

“To say that I wouldn't be involved in the offense would be a lie,” he said. “I'd be very involved in the offense.”

The offense he coordinated at SCSU averaged better than 30 points per game and 418.6 yards of total offense in 2005 and 24.5 ppg and 317.3 yards this past season.

Rudolph described his leadership style as teamwork-oriented and said that having fun is a big part of his coaching philosophy.

“The first thing I always try to use is the word 'fun,' “ he said. “If fun isn't involved, I'm not too into it.”

The on-campus visits continue today, as the university will bring in University of Dubuque (Iowa) assistant coach Joseph Austin in for an interview. Concordia University (Wis.) assistant Robert Barnhill will be on campus Thursday. MSU plans on making its final decision in the first week on January.