ST. PAUL, Minn. – From day one as he started his second stint leading the Concordia-St. Paul football program, head coach Shannon Currier has remained laser focused on a rock solid process that over time will yield results, but more importantly foster a culture that develops solid young men.
 
The first look at the results for year three will come on Thursday, August 30 when Concordia heads to #20 Sioux Falls for the season opener at Bob Young Field for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Cougars are ranked as high as #18 in the D2Football.com Preseason Top-25 and were picked third overall and third in the South Division for the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
The game can be watched online (free) and also features a free live audio stream (KWSN AM 1230 & FM 98.1). The broadcasts can be supplemented with live stats, as well. Keep an eye on all the league scores at the NSIC scoreboard.
 
All Northern Sun games are available to watch via numerous streaming devices: Roku, Amazon FireTV, Apple TV and Android TV. Simply search for NSIC to find the Stretch Internet application to view all contests streamed by league members on your TV, and in high definition (where available).
 
The results – wins and losses – are just one piece of the puzzle for Currier and his growing program, however. The fiery coach had mastered the Northern Sun in his first term as head coach (2000-03) which culminated with a 2003 NSIC Championship when he was named NSIC Coach of the Year and earned CSP football its first-ever postseason trip to the Mineral Water Bowl.
 
But the ultra-competitive Currier has harnessed his insatiable will to win into a focused effort into developing the process that fosters a winning environment. From a more calm and steady demeanor, Currier has continued to hone his ability to rely on his natural instincts as a leader that seek to create a program that creates a trusting relationship between the players and coaches who are all seeking common goals on a day-to-day basis.
 
"The players have recognized that we are committed to their personal development (on top of football) and that it's a real priority here. It's not just something that's talked about, we live it on a daily basis. I sense a different rapport with the players because they know we have their best interests in mind and that commitment is proven in various ways. The outcome is that long after their football days are over they're able to take what they've learned now and apply it throughout their lives."
 
In his second term, the big difference for Currier has been finding a solid balance in his personal and professional life. It's an observable change that has yielded results, as well. Those who have known Currier since his first term – former players, staff, etc – may remember a tireless and enthusiastic coach with an approach that seeks creative and sometimes unconventional solutions.
 
The passion, fire and work ethic still burn deep in Currier (along with his knack for finding an unorthodox approach) and 15 years later, he's still rarely found idle, continuing to bounce around the halls of the Fandrei Center where the football offices are located adjacent to Sea Foam Stadium off I-94 and Hamline Avenue.
 
While Currier has always had a positive demeanor, in 2018 his energy and enthusiasm for running the day-to-day operations of the football program are harnessed by his ability to achieve a quality life balance.
 
"Our culture is way better, our class attendance continues to improve, our team GPA is on the rise, we're making better decisions off the field and we have more spiritual leaders than we've had before."
 
These traits are instilled in his staff, too, leading to a genuine approach from the full time members of the football staff which has provided a real time example for his players and younger coaches to witness and thus carry out.
 
"In this game, people don't coach to become rich. They put in a lot of work and hours for not a lot of pay. It's the feeling and fulfillment you get in your soul in serving and helping others, observing the change in the players – not only over the course of their careers but even within a season. That, along with the competitive drive is why folks are in the game, and stay in it. Our graduate assistant, part time and volunteer positions aren't long term. Everyone needs to make a living so they can do this for a career so we take it seriously in helping our young coaches advance and get their next opportunity even if it's not at CSP. So while we lost some talented coaches from last season, we're excited with the incoming group of coaches and the talent and perspectives they each bring to the program."
 
"The initial investments we're making in these young men, and their buy-in and commitment to a solid process, sometimes are not realized until they are grown men as professionals, husbands, fathers and leaders in their community when they can look back on these times as being pivotal to their development."
 
The genuine display from Currier has also fostered an environment that features all full time assistant coaches returning from the 2017 season.
 
"I think continuity is critical to the success of any organization and when you add quality people like we've been able to, you continue to grow," explains Currier from his office overlooking Sea Foam Stadium. "It takes time to grow trust with your players and in building relationships in recruiting. The longer we're here together, the closer we get both as staff members and with our players."
 
The continuity of the coaching staff has helped the players not only build trust in their coaches, but also within the roster. "I've had a number of players come up to me throughout camp this year at various times and tell me how much the chemistry has improved this year, and it's something that's transcended age groups, backgrounds and position groups. We have fewer cliques and more team crossover. This type of atmosphere is critical to success, I recognize the importance of it and it's something we also see within our staff."
 
The program receives a major boost in team bonding on its annual trip to Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota. The team has made Camp Ripley its annual location in Currier's second term, while he took the team to his hometown in Cosmos, Minnesota located west of the Twin Cities in his first tour. He also employed the tactic at Truman State (Missouri), taking the team to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
 
"This year was a bit different because we went after our first day. The timing allowed our guys to start bonding immediately which really helped change the dynamic of camp. On the trip, we do a Marine segment with a drill sergeant and go through a leadership course in addition to getting our regular football work and meetings in. At the end of our trip, we have some fun and have a nice team meal in Brainerd and head out to the beach and let the guys get out on the water for tubing and just letting them enjoy the experience."
 
The team will also have a new approach to leadership in 2018, with evolving captains that change each week – and it's already started. Currier has had new team captains each week of fall camp and will continue the practice throughout the 11 week season.
 
"Each week we'll designate four guys who were the best leaders the previous week. Performance is part of that, but so is what they bring to the team, how they serve their team members. As a staff, we'll meet and determine who our most influential guys are at the time. At the end of the year, the players will vote on the four captains for the year. The benefit is that we'll be basing it off results instead of projections so heading into the offseason it's something that's selected off merit from the season, and it obviously takes more than four guys to lead the team so we're tapping into all of our leadership. It also creates more leadership growth in the program as more players will be recognized and counted on depending on our circumstances."
 
The program's resolve has also been tested in the most significant way with the passing of 2018 graduate Billy Brown, Jr.
 
In his memory, the team has designed the home opener on Saturday, September 8 against Upper Iowa as Billy Brown, Jr. Day where the program will publicly recognize the former standout linebacker's family with plans for t-shirt sales with all proceeds to benefit the family.
 
"There's a lot of people out there, alumni, current players, fans and parents who will see it as a special opportunity to pay their respects towards Billy Brown. It's a way to honor what he did for the program and pay respect to the family for their loss. It's going to be a special day."
 
This season, senior Brandon Russell will wear Billy's number to honor the memory of his close friend. "Billy Brown was special player in the program, and we want to help leave a legacy for him. He sacrificed a lot to make this program better and he was committed to Golden Bear football. Brandon was one of the seniors on this year's team who was closest to Billy and he wanted to represent him by wearing his number. It means a lot to Brandon because of that relationship, as well his older brother Bruce Russell. We think it's a great way to honor Billy by somebody close wearing his jersey to represent him like he'd want to be done. As we move forward, we'll talk about selecting a special player each year who demonstrates some of the attributes Billy brought to the program to continue the tradition in Billy's memory. Instead of retiring the number and having the vacancy, we want to instill Billy's legacy in a way that's meaningful to our program. He will be part of this program forever."

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Next up in the preseason preview series: CSP football looks to take the next step on the field