Concordia-St. Paul head football coach Shannon Currier announced Craig Stern rejoined the coaching staff as defensive coordinator in February of 2017. This is Stern’s second stint in the program, also serving as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for CSP from 1999 to 2003.
Stern's defensive unit is coming off of a nationally-prominent 2019 season, leading the country in team sacks per game (3.73), ranking ninth in most fumble recoveries (13) and 30th in tackles for loss per game (7.7). Stern also presided over a defense that secured the program's second-ever NFL Draft Pick when All-America defensive end Chris Garrett was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round in 2021.
“I’m very excited to have Coach Stern back at Concordia,” said Currier. “He was a major factor in our success in our first tenure at CSP as our defenses were always among the best in the NSIC. His experiences since his time here have only allowed him to grow. In fact, we both have grown, matured and are even more prepared to elevate CSP football towards the top of the NSIC. I am extremely confident that we are making the necessary improvements to allow us to become a contender.”
Stern’s first tenure at CSP came to a close following the 2003-04 academic year when Currier left the program to coach at Truman State University. From there, Stern stayed near the Twin Cities metro area and took an assistant coach position at St. Olaf College, where he coached for 13 seasons including the previous four as head coach of the Oles.
“I am incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Currier’s staff at CSP and to return to the Division II level for the next chapter of my coaching career,” said Stern. “The thing that I am most excited about is the opportunity to work at an institution that serves a wide array of students and learners. One of Coach Currier’s primary tenants of running a program is the ability to make a difference in young men’s lives on and off the field which is a passion of mine that I’m excited to reignite here. In my time away from Concordia, I’ve grown as man and coach and I hope to prove that my growth and development has kept pace with the University’s own advances. I am looking forward to helping the CSP football program #BeGolden every day!”
Initially hired in 1999, Stern earned a quick promotion to defensive coordinator in his second season with the team in 2000 when Currier was named head coach. Inheriting the ninth ranked defense in the NSIC, Stern presided over a dramatic improvement as the unit would rank second by his third year leading the defense in 2002. By 2003, the Golden Bears were NSIC Champions and on their way to the first postseason game in program history at the Mineral Water Bowl.
Under his leadership, Concordia’s defense would rank as high as fourth in Division II football during the conference championship campaign.
Upon his move to St. Olaf, Stern was originally hired as defensive backs coach, recruiting coordinator and head strength & conditioning coach in 2004. He would earn a pair of promotions during his tenure in Northfield as he was bumped up to the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach position in 2010 and was named the program’s head football coach in 2013, spending four years leading the program.
The defensive-minded Stern also coordinated the defense for the Oles while serving as head coach. During his 13 years at St. Olaf, Stern was credited for much of the program’s recruiting success in building some of the largest rosters in school history.
As an assistant, Stern and the Oles produced nine consecutive .500 or better seasons with three third place finishes and one second place finish in the MIAC.
His first collegiate coaching experience came at Dana College (Neb.) and his first coaching experience came at the prep level at St. Cloud Apollo High School and Kimball High School while finishing his degree at St. Cloud State University.
He earned his bachelor of science from SCSU in secondary education in 1996 with dual minors history and coaching. He completed his master’s degree at Concordia in 2001 in education with an emphasis in youth development.
