Copy of story from Minot Daily News (link)

Rudolph hired

By MICHAEL LINNELL, Sports Editor mlinnell@minotdailynews.com

New Minot State University head football coach Paul Rudolph is introduced during a press conference with members of the media Tuesday at the MSU Student Union Conference Center. Rudolph was named the university's 19th head coach. Chris Bieri/MDN

The Paul Rudolph era begins.

Minot State University made Rudolph its 19th head football coach in school history, introducing him at a press conference at the MSU Student Union Conference Center Tuesday.

“I am very excited to have Paul heading up our football program,” MSU Athletic Director Rick Hedberg said. “First and foremost, when deciding who to choose for this job he had to be an excellent person. Paul is an excellent person.”

Rudolph, who was a quarterback for the Beavers from 1984-1988, has spent the past seven years at St. Cloud (Minn.) State University. He was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Huskies, serving as assistant to former MSU head coach Randy Hedberg.

Rudolph takes over for Mike Sivertson, who resigned in November after seven seasons. Rudolph was a finalist for the MSU head coach position when Sivertson was hired in 1999.

“I have kind of come full circle,” Rudolph said. “I was interested in this job for the past 17 years. I am pretty excited and glad to be standing in front of you right now.”

Rudolph said one of his main objectives will to make MSU football “The thing Saturday afternoons.”

“My goal is that Saturday afternoons in western North Dakota, it is the place everyone will want to be,” he said. “We will do it with a little bit of passion and fun. The goal is to make it as exciting as possible.”

Accomplishing that comes with a solid brand of football on the field and with the right mix of student-athletes.

“The first thing I will do is go back to Swain Hall and talk with the (assistant) coaches and we will talk about recruiting,” Rudolph said. “Then we will talk about recruiting some more. We have to roll up our sleeves and get after it.”

Rudolph, who graduated from Stanley High School in 1984, knows the area, but is also looking for other recruiting avenues.

“We will get some kids from Minnesota,” he said. “But that won't be the first place we recruit. We will still look to North Dakota, especially western North Dakota and eastern Montana as our primary areas.”

Minot State has struggled on offense at times over the past two seasons. In the past seven seasons at St. Cloud State, Rudolph's offenses have established 26 single-season, 21 single-game and nine individual offensive records.

That said, Rudolph won't necessarily take over the offensive reins.

“We will try to put people where their strengths are,” he said. “I don't know if I will handle the offensive line or not, or if I will handle the offense or not. I will be involved with the offense, though.”

Rudolph, who will assume duties immediately, said it was good to be back in Minot.

“I have been thinking about (MSU) in the back of my mind for 19 years,” he said. “I have a passion for the school and this place.”