University of Minnesota Athletics
Staff Directory
Steve Stanard
- Title:
- Rush Ends Coach
- Email:
Steve Stanard joined the University of Minnesota as a Rush Ends Coach in February 2026.Â
Stanard has nearly 40 years of coaching experience on his resume and has also served as a head coach and defensive coordinator. He spent the previous six seasons coaching linebackers at Kansas State.Â
At Kansas State, he coached 10 linebackers who were received All-Big 12 honors with at least one honoree in every season on staff.
In 2025, he mentored Austin Romaine who was named to the All-Big 12 Football Second Team for the second straight year after finishing second on Kansas State in tackles (66) and tackles for loss (seven). He also had half of a sack, broke up two passes, made one interception and recovered one fumble.Â
The 2024 season saw Romaine lead Kansas State with 96 tackles, the most by a Wildcat since 2017, as he was named All-Big 12 Second Team. With Romaine leading the way, Kansas State finished in the top 30 nationally in three defensive categories as they ranked fourth in fourth down defense at 32.1%, 25th in sacks per game at 2.69 and 28th in rushing yards allowed per game at 118.7. Kansas State’s rushing defense did not allow a 200-yard rushing game for the first time since 2016 and the Wildcats were one of only two Big 12 teams to lay that claim in 2024.
Three of Stanard’s linebackers earned All-Big 12 honors in 2023, led by second-team honoree Austin Moore. He led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 63 tackles. Desmond Purnell earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades and Romaine earned votes for the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Stanard helped Kansas State capture the 2022 Big 12 Championship by tutoring a dynamic group of linebackers who helped lead one of the best defenses in the nation. Kansas State finished in the top 30 nationally in five categories, ranking 10th in interceptions (16), 14th in total turnovers (24), 18th in fourth down defense (39.4%), 27th in third down defense (34.0%) and 29th in scoring defense (21.9). Of the 16 interceptions by the Wildcats in 2022, five came from linebackers.Â
Two of Stanard’s pupils earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades in Moore and Daniel Green, the former of which led the Wildcats with 87 tackles.
The 2021 season also saw Stanard coach two All-Big 12 Honorable Mention picks as Green (89) and senior Cody Fletcher (75) ranked first and second on the team in tackles.Â
Thanks in part to the linebacking duo, the Wildcats saw their points allowed per game average go from 32.2 in 2020 to 21.0 in 2021 – K-State’s best mark since 2003 – to rank 23rd in the nation. The defense allowed its fewest yards per game since 2009 (344.7) to rank third in the Big 12, while the Wildcats’ surrendered only 129.5 rushing yards per game. Additionally, Kansas State racked up 90 tackles for loss on the year, which was its most since 2006.Â
In his first year in Manhattan, Stanard saw three of his linebackers rank in the top five on the team in tackles, and the Wildcats ranked 24th nationally in sacks. One of his linebackers, Elijah Sullivan, earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades.
Prior to Kansas State, Stanard coached defensive ends at Syracuse from 2017-19.Â
During his final two seasons working with Syracuse edge rushers, Stanard helped the Orange produce 56 takeaways (2.2 per game) as it held a plus-22 turnover margin during that span. Stanard guided the careers of Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman, who developed into one of the ACC’s most productive tandems during that time. Robinson logged 32.5 career tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks, while Coleman registered 26.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks.
In 2019, Stanard helped Syracuse rank No. 12 nationally in turnovers gained (25) and No. 11 in fumbles recovered (12), while Robinson garnered All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades. In 2018, Syracuse ranked in the top 10 nationally in five statistical categories, including sacks per game (6th – 3.31). Robinson developed into an All-ACC Second Team performer and combined with Coleman to produce 20 sacks – the most of any ACC duo. Both players led the conference and tied for eighth nationally in sacks per game (0.83).
Overall, Stanard’s unit was responsible for 29 of Syracuse’s school-record 43 sacks in 2018 to help the Orange to a 10-3 record.Â
Stanard served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Wyoming from 2014-16. In 2015, Stanard coached Logan Wilson who led all conference rookies in tackles per game (6.7) and was voted the 2016 Mountain West Freshman of the Year. Stanard’s unit helped Wyoming to a berth in the 2016 Mountain West title game as the Cowboys ranked third nationally with five defensive touchdowns and were 10th in the country in takeaways (27).
Stanard went to Wyoming from North Dakota State where he helped the Bison earn a 29-1 record and capture consecutive FCS national titles. His work with the linebackers contributed to the Bison boasting the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense in both 2012 (11.5 points per game) and 2013 (11.3 points per game). In 2013, Stanard coached Grant Olson, who was named an All-American by the Associated Press.
Stanard’s experience as a defensive coordinator includes running defenses at six schools. In addition to his three years running the Wyoming defense, he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Tulane (2009-11), five years as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Colorado State (2003-07), three years as the defensive coordinator at New Mexico State (2000-02), one season as the defensive coordinator at South Dakota (1996) and five years as the defensive coordinator at Nebraska Wesleyan (1991-95).
While at Tulane, Stanard’s defense led Conference USA in passing defense in two out of his three seasons there. At Colorado State, he helped guide the Rams to two bowl appearances, coached four defenders to All-Mountain West First or Second Team honors, and another 24 to honorable mention all-conference recognition.
Stanard also served as the defensive line coach at Ohio in 2008, while he coached the defensive ends and outside linebackers at New Mexico State from 1997 to 1999 before being named the Aggies’ defensive coordinator in 2000.
Stanard began his college coaching career in 1988 as a student assistant coach at his alma mater, Nebraska. During his time in Lincoln both on the field and on the sideline, Stanard was a member of seven bowl teams, while he has been a part of 18 total postseason squads as either a player or a coach during his career.
After a three-year stint with the Huskers, Stanard received his first full-time coaching job in 1991 at Nebraska Wesleyan. He served as the school’s defensive coordinator, and later, head coach and assistant athletic director.
Stanard earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nebraska in 1989 and later obtained his M.B.A. from the school in 1995.
Stanard and his wife, Jennifer, have four children (Austin, Paige, Max and Madison).
STANARD AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2026-present: Minnesota – Rush Ends
2020-25: Kansas State – Linebackers
2017-19: Syracuse – Defensive Ends
2014-16: Wyoming – Defensive Coordinator / LinebackersÂ
2012-13: North Dakota State – Linebackers
2009-11: Tulane – Defensive Coordinator / LinebackersÂ
2008: Ohio – Defensive Line
2003-07: Colorado State – Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
2000-02: New Mexico State – Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
1997-99: New Mexico State - Defensive Ends / Outside Linebackers
1996: South Dakota – Defensive Coordinator
1994-95: Nebraska Wesleyan –  Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator
1991-93: Nebraska Wesleyan – Defensive Coordinator
1989-90: Nebraska – Graduate Assistant
1988: Nebraska – Student Assistant
Bowls Coached
2024 Rate Bowl
2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl
2022 Sugar Bowl
2022 Texas Bowl
2018 Camping World Bowl
2016 Poinsettia Bowl
2005 Poinsettia Bowl
2003 San Francisco Bowl
1991 Citrus Bowl
1990 Fiesta Bowl
1989 Orange Bowl
Players Drafted
2020: DE Alton Robinson (Round 5, Pick 148, Seattle Seahawks)
2015: LB Mark Nzeocha (Round 7, Pick 236, Dallas Cowboys)
2004: CB Dexter Wynn (Round 6, Pick 192, Philadelphia Eagles)
2004: LB Andre Sommersell (Round 7, Pick 255, Oakland Raiders)
2003: S Siddeeq Shabazz (Round 7, Pick 246, Oakland Raiders)
Playing Experience: Nebraska (defensive end), 1984-1987
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Alma Mater: Nebraska, 1989 (business administration), Nebraska, 1995 (master's of business administration)Â
Wife: Jennifer
Children: Austin, Paige, Max and Madison
Stanard has nearly 40 years of coaching experience on his resume and has also served as a head coach and defensive coordinator. He spent the previous six seasons coaching linebackers at Kansas State.Â
At Kansas State, he coached 10 linebackers who were received All-Big 12 honors with at least one honoree in every season on staff.
In 2025, he mentored Austin Romaine who was named to the All-Big 12 Football Second Team for the second straight year after finishing second on Kansas State in tackles (66) and tackles for loss (seven). He also had half of a sack, broke up two passes, made one interception and recovered one fumble.Â
The 2024 season saw Romaine lead Kansas State with 96 tackles, the most by a Wildcat since 2017, as he was named All-Big 12 Second Team. With Romaine leading the way, Kansas State finished in the top 30 nationally in three defensive categories as they ranked fourth in fourth down defense at 32.1%, 25th in sacks per game at 2.69 and 28th in rushing yards allowed per game at 118.7. Kansas State’s rushing defense did not allow a 200-yard rushing game for the first time since 2016 and the Wildcats were one of only two Big 12 teams to lay that claim in 2024.
Three of Stanard’s linebackers earned All-Big 12 honors in 2023, led by second-team honoree Austin Moore. He led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 63 tackles. Desmond Purnell earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades and Romaine earned votes for the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Stanard helped Kansas State capture the 2022 Big 12 Championship by tutoring a dynamic group of linebackers who helped lead one of the best defenses in the nation. Kansas State finished in the top 30 nationally in five categories, ranking 10th in interceptions (16), 14th in total turnovers (24), 18th in fourth down defense (39.4%), 27th in third down defense (34.0%) and 29th in scoring defense (21.9). Of the 16 interceptions by the Wildcats in 2022, five came from linebackers.Â
Two of Stanard’s pupils earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades in Moore and Daniel Green, the former of which led the Wildcats with 87 tackles.
The 2021 season also saw Stanard coach two All-Big 12 Honorable Mention picks as Green (89) and senior Cody Fletcher (75) ranked first and second on the team in tackles.Â
Thanks in part to the linebacking duo, the Wildcats saw their points allowed per game average go from 32.2 in 2020 to 21.0 in 2021 – K-State’s best mark since 2003 – to rank 23rd in the nation. The defense allowed its fewest yards per game since 2009 (344.7) to rank third in the Big 12, while the Wildcats’ surrendered only 129.5 rushing yards per game. Additionally, Kansas State racked up 90 tackles for loss on the year, which was its most since 2006.Â
In his first year in Manhattan, Stanard saw three of his linebackers rank in the top five on the team in tackles, and the Wildcats ranked 24th nationally in sacks. One of his linebackers, Elijah Sullivan, earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades.
Prior to Kansas State, Stanard coached defensive ends at Syracuse from 2017-19.Â
During his final two seasons working with Syracuse edge rushers, Stanard helped the Orange produce 56 takeaways (2.2 per game) as it held a plus-22 turnover margin during that span. Stanard guided the careers of Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman, who developed into one of the ACC’s most productive tandems during that time. Robinson logged 32.5 career tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks, while Coleman registered 26.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks.
In 2019, Stanard helped Syracuse rank No. 12 nationally in turnovers gained (25) and No. 11 in fumbles recovered (12), while Robinson garnered All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades. In 2018, Syracuse ranked in the top 10 nationally in five statistical categories, including sacks per game (6th – 3.31). Robinson developed into an All-ACC Second Team performer and combined with Coleman to produce 20 sacks – the most of any ACC duo. Both players led the conference and tied for eighth nationally in sacks per game (0.83).
Overall, Stanard’s unit was responsible for 29 of Syracuse’s school-record 43 sacks in 2018 to help the Orange to a 10-3 record.Â
Stanard served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Wyoming from 2014-16. In 2015, Stanard coached Logan Wilson who led all conference rookies in tackles per game (6.7) and was voted the 2016 Mountain West Freshman of the Year. Stanard’s unit helped Wyoming to a berth in the 2016 Mountain West title game as the Cowboys ranked third nationally with five defensive touchdowns and were 10th in the country in takeaways (27).
Stanard went to Wyoming from North Dakota State where he helped the Bison earn a 29-1 record and capture consecutive FCS national titles. His work with the linebackers contributed to the Bison boasting the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense in both 2012 (11.5 points per game) and 2013 (11.3 points per game). In 2013, Stanard coached Grant Olson, who was named an All-American by the Associated Press.
Stanard’s experience as a defensive coordinator includes running defenses at six schools. In addition to his three years running the Wyoming defense, he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Tulane (2009-11), five years as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Colorado State (2003-07), three years as the defensive coordinator at New Mexico State (2000-02), one season as the defensive coordinator at South Dakota (1996) and five years as the defensive coordinator at Nebraska Wesleyan (1991-95).
While at Tulane, Stanard’s defense led Conference USA in passing defense in two out of his three seasons there. At Colorado State, he helped guide the Rams to two bowl appearances, coached four defenders to All-Mountain West First or Second Team honors, and another 24 to honorable mention all-conference recognition.
Stanard also served as the defensive line coach at Ohio in 2008, while he coached the defensive ends and outside linebackers at New Mexico State from 1997 to 1999 before being named the Aggies’ defensive coordinator in 2000.
Stanard began his college coaching career in 1988 as a student assistant coach at his alma mater, Nebraska. During his time in Lincoln both on the field and on the sideline, Stanard was a member of seven bowl teams, while he has been a part of 18 total postseason squads as either a player or a coach during his career.
After a three-year stint with the Huskers, Stanard received his first full-time coaching job in 1991 at Nebraska Wesleyan. He served as the school’s defensive coordinator, and later, head coach and assistant athletic director.
Stanard earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nebraska in 1989 and later obtained his M.B.A. from the school in 1995.
Stanard and his wife, Jennifer, have four children (Austin, Paige, Max and Madison).
STANARD AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2026-present: Minnesota – Rush Ends
2020-25: Kansas State – Linebackers
2017-19: Syracuse – Defensive Ends
2014-16: Wyoming – Defensive Coordinator / LinebackersÂ
2012-13: North Dakota State – Linebackers
2009-11: Tulane – Defensive Coordinator / LinebackersÂ
2008: Ohio – Defensive Line
2003-07: Colorado State – Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
2000-02: New Mexico State – Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
1997-99: New Mexico State - Defensive Ends / Outside Linebackers
1996: South Dakota – Defensive Coordinator
1994-95: Nebraska Wesleyan –  Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator
1991-93: Nebraska Wesleyan – Defensive Coordinator
1989-90: Nebraska – Graduate Assistant
1988: Nebraska – Student Assistant
Bowls Coached
2024 Rate Bowl
2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl
2022 Sugar Bowl
2022 Texas Bowl
2018 Camping World Bowl
2016 Poinsettia Bowl
2005 Poinsettia Bowl
2003 San Francisco Bowl
1991 Citrus Bowl
1990 Fiesta Bowl
1989 Orange Bowl
Players Drafted
2020: DE Alton Robinson (Round 5, Pick 148, Seattle Seahawks)
2015: LB Mark Nzeocha (Round 7, Pick 236, Dallas Cowboys)
2004: CB Dexter Wynn (Round 6, Pick 192, Philadelphia Eagles)
2004: LB Andre Sommersell (Round 7, Pick 255, Oakland Raiders)
2003: S Siddeeq Shabazz (Round 7, Pick 246, Oakland Raiders)
Playing Experience: Nebraska (defensive end), 1984-1987
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Alma Mater: Nebraska, 1989 (business administration), Nebraska, 1995 (master's of business administration)Â
Wife: Jennifer
Children: Austin, Paige, Max and Madison
Senior Salute
Wednesday, March 18
Anthonett Nabwe Wins NCAA Title
Monday, March 16
NCAA Tournament Reaction
Monday, March 16
Coach Plitzuweit NCAA Reaction
Sunday, March 15
