#134 Ian Shields: Coach Shields on Rebuilding Minot State Football from the Ground Up

Minot State went from underdogs to record breakers. Coach Ian Shields is the mastermind behind the comeback. In this episode of Swim Lessons, we sit down with the 22nd head coach of the Beavers to talk about building culture, breaking records, and transforming lives.

After more than 20 years in coaching, Shields brings a proven track record of elite player development and a commitment to community engagement. In just his second season at Minot State, he delivered the program’s first Homecoming victory since 1992 and its best NCAA-era season, starting 3‑0 and finishing 5‑6 .

Under his leadership, the Beavers smashed single-season records for rushing yards (2,886) and touchdowns (30), while launching the “Get in the Game” initiative that registered hundreds of bone marrow donors

Coach Shields opens up about:

Turning a losing program into a contender

-His spread-option offense and Top‑10 rushing finishes msubeavers.com

-Building a team culture rooted in faith, family, and community

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