Minot State University Men's Football

Named the 22nd head coach of the Beaver football program in January of 2023, Ian Shields brings more than 20 years of coaching experience with him to the sidelines at Minot State. Coach Shields believes in a commitment to community engagement, social awareness, and diversity. He works as a culture builder and transformational coach that will positively impact players' lives.  He boasts a proven track record of elite evaluation and player development, and he has led teams to 4 national rushing championships (twice in the FBS, twice in the NCAA D-II) and his programs have been in the Top 10 nationally rushing in 20 of his 29 years coaching. Also driven to give back to the community, during the 2024-25 academic year, Coach Shields and the Beaver football program kicked off participation in the national "Get in the Game" program to register potential bone marrow and blood stem cell donors. The Beavers dedication to making a lasting impact within the greater campus community led to a tremendous initial result of 253 registrations during the first year.  On the gridiron during the 2024 season, Coach Shields and the Beavers made history as the team started the season with a 3-0 record, provided the school its first Homecoming victory since 1992, and recorded the best season in Minot State's NCAA history finishing with a 5-6 overall record. Along the way, Shields' Beavers set set single-season all-time records for rushing yards with 2,886, for rushing touchdowns with 30, and for rushing yards per game averaging 244.9 ypg. The Beavers also set single-game all-time records for carries in a game with 69 in a 26-22 win over Sioux Falls, 416 yards in a 38-7 win over Valley City State, 7 rushing touchdowns in a 56-23 win over Winona State, and 4 defensive touchdowns in a 42-9 win over Southwest Minnesota State. Individual, defensive back Nalu Cordeiro earned National Player of the Week honors after a single-game record 2 interception returns for touchdowns against Southwest Minnesota State, including a record 92-yard return, while quarterback Carson Chrisman set an NCAA-era single-season record with 15 rushing touchdowns and a single-game record with 4 rushing touchdowns against Valley City State. The successful season also garnered Minot State players a variety of honors as senior center Jake Swirple was invited to the Podyum All-Star Bowl and also selected by the Alabama Beavers professional football team of the International Football Alliance (IFA). Junior running back Evan Lovett was a semifinalist for the Harlon Hill award as NCAA Division II's top player, along with being named 1st Team All-NSIC, and sophomore offensive lineman Aidan Shumate, and sophomore defensive backs Kevin Speed and Myzel Williams joined Lovett in earn 1st Team All-NSIC honors. Senior linebacker Carson Cayko was named 2nd Team All-NSIC. Academically, offensive linemen Max Bray, Emmett Espino, and DJ Schneibel, along with wide receiver Erik Palmquist, each were named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, and Espino, Palmquist, Bray, Schneibel, Conner Raetzman, Josh Will, Cody Grossinger, Jonathan Noriega, and Tyler Stonebraker all were named to the NSIC All-Academic Team. In his first season leading the Beaver football program, Minot State put three players on the ALL-NSIC Team in defensive backs Isaiah Bigby and Knylen Miller-Levi, and linebacker Carson Cayko.  Along with those All-NSIC honors, Bigby was named a semifinals for the Cliff Harris Award presented to the top defensive player in all of NCAA Division II football, and Miller-Levi was invited to play in the Trillion Tropical Bowl all-star game showcasing college football seniors for NFL scouts and GMs.   Shields's first Beaver team also saw 6 players named to the CSC Academic All-District Team, 7 players inducted into the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, and 13 players named to the NSIC All-Academic Team. Minot State's football team also won two of the most coveted BESPY team awards for the 2023-24 academic year as they were crowned the year's Community Service Award winners and the Beaver Cup winners.  Most recently an assistant, analyst, and top advisor to the head coach at UNLV for the last three seasons, Shields spent four years as the head coach at NCAA Division I FCS program Jacksonville University in Florida, two years as the head coach at NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne in North Carolina, and two seasons as head coach at NAIA Eastern Oregon University. At UNLV, Coach Shields duties included running back and linebacker responsibilities, and he assisted in bring in two top-ranked recruiting classes in Mountain West Conference­, the highest-ranked recruiting classes in UNLV history. While at Jacksonville. Shields's teams logged over 400 community service hours each year, recorded the program's 4 highest yearly GPAs as more Dolphin players were recognized on the President's List, Dean's List, and PFL Academic Honor roll than at any other point in program history, and the team's spread-option offense was Top 5 in the nation in rushing for 2017, 18, and 19. The Dolphins also set school records for: Rushing yards in a season, rushing touchdowns in a season, yards per carry in a season, most plays run, most 100-yard rushers in one game, time of possession, yards per game in one game, and rushing attempts.  Quarterback Calvin Turner Jr. finished the 2019 season 4th in FCS football in rushing yards (1,355) and 10th in rushing TD's (15). Calvin finished the 18' season ranked 3rd in all FCS football in total TD's (17), 2nd in scoring (11.0), 3rd in rushing yards per game (143.1), 11th in yards per carry (6.9), and 4th in rushing yards (1,431).  The 2018 offense set school records for yards rushing in a season (3453 yards/10 games), rushing touchdowns (36), yards per carry (6.16), had three 100-yard rushers in one game. Prolific offense in 2018 ranked in Top 15 nationally in rushing offense (3rd/345.3 ypg), 9th in 3rd down conversion (.472), 10th in time of possession (33), and 11th in fewest turnovers lost (12). OLB Justin Horton signs with Jacksonville Jaguars Along with eight seasons as a head coach, Shields has served as offensive coordinator at Army, Cal Poly, Bucknell (Pa,), and Saint Mary's (Calif.). Shields, who played both football and baseball in college for the Oregon State Beavers, began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oregon State. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication in 1994 from Oregon State, and his Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Human Performance & Speech Communication in 1997, also from Oregon State. Coach Shields in joined in Minot by his wife, Norma. The couple have three sons Beau (22), Jonah (20), and Jordan (12). What They're Saying About Coach Shields: “Ian Shields is a coach who gave me confidence on the football field. He understood the level of execution needed from players and consistently provided accurate and detailed coaching, he has a great feel of how to develop football players and get them to play to the best of their ability. Thanks to his coaching I was able to accomplish challenges that have helped me adjust to very different football environments in my football career. As a person , Coach Shields instilled me with values of professionalism and family- he’s a tremendous role model and mentor to every player in the locker-room.” - Former Army Ranger, Bronze Star Medal Recipient & Army West Point left tackle and current Pittsburgh Steeler, 2017 Pro Bowl selection Alejandro Villanueva "I had the privilege of playing for Coach Shields and his staff my senior year. The 2016 season was one of the best in my four and a half years suiting up for JU, and a great deal of that had to do with Coach Shields. From the moment I met him his concern was establishing the best culture and environment that would help us build a winning football program and developing the players within it on and off the field. After my time at JU was complete, Coach Shields made it a point to help me in my transition to professional football- speaking to scouts, checking in on workouts, and giving advice. This year will be my second as a pro and I still receive calls and texts from Coach Shields asking how everything is going and checking in. It was a blessing to have him as a coach and now as a mentor." - Former JU, Jacksonville Jaguars & Saskatchewan Roughriders LB/DE Justin Horton "Coach Shields gave me my first shot to play college ball, he was the one that believed in me and offered me actually. Coming out of high school (McClymonds HS, Oakland, CA) as an undersized inner city kid, he looked past the disadvantage and saw talent and potential in me as a player and as a student.  Not only did he advocate for me in the recruiting and admissions process, but he always made sure I was doing well on and off the field since the first day we met.  After we parted ways due to a coaching change, we still managed to keep in touch for an ongoing relationship outside of just football. I definitely appreciate Coach Shields for the opportunity, his friendship, and help getting me to the point where I’m at now in my career.” - Former Saint Mary's & Sacramento State and current Calgary Stampeders defensive back Brandon Smith "Coach Shields is by far one of the best coaches and men I have ever worked with. He recruited me, took me to campus, and even helped me with my transition to school once I got there. He was always an open resource for me when I was there as well. I trusted him. He made me want to play my best because I didn’t want to let him down; I wanted to prove him right for taking a chance on me. To repay him for the faith and confidence he had in me from day 1 I stepped on campus at Cal Poly.  That’s something so important in this sport, and Coach Shields knows how to treat and mentor young men. He knows how to get the best out of you as a player. and that’s not even getting into his on the field knowledge. I’ve never seen anyone run the spread option offense like he did. His halftime adjustments were something to this day (after 6 years in the NFL) I still haven’t found any coach do it better. His knowledge of the game is A1, on both sides of the ball. And most of all he cares. He wants the best for you as a man, and also as a player. You don’t find that with a lot of coaches these days; at least in my experience. I wish I could have played for Coach Shields for longer!! Love you coach!!! I am where I am today because of you believing in me!! And I’ll never forget that!!" - Former Cal Poly & NFL cornerback and Super Bowl 47 Champion Asa Jackson “Coach Shields was vital to our success at Cal Poly. His attention to detail, and enthusiasm for ’perfect practice’ elevated the understanding of our collective mission. It was he who became the technical engine for the potency of our #1 ranked offense. As a friend and mentor, Coach Shields is always one for endearing conversation and enthusiasm for personal development. To this day his is one of my favorite sports teachers, and our championship teams owe a great deal to his expertise and character." - Former Cal Poly & NFL wide receiver and Super Bowl 46 Champion Ramses Barden   Ian Shields Career Coaching Record Year Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason Other Ranking 2024 Minot State 5-6 4-6 10th 2023 Minot State 1-10 1-9 t-10th 2019 Jacksonville 3-9 1-7 t-9th 2018 Jacksonville 2-8 1-7 10th 2017 Jacksonville 7-4 5-3 t-3rd 2016 Jacksonville 5-5 4-3 4th 2015 Lenoir-Rhyne 5-5 3-4 t-5th NCAA D-II 2nd round 8 2014 Lenoir-Rhyne 11-1 7-0 1st 2007 Eastern Oregon 1-10 1-9 6th 2006 Eastern Oregon 6-5 5-5 4th Overall 46-63 32-53

Coach Darling joined the Beaver football staff as a graduate assistant in the summer of 2025 after a 3-year career as a player for the Beavers. In three seasons on the gridiron, Darling played in 15 games for the Beavers at tight end, including 10 games during the 2024 season. He caught 4 passes for 61 yards and added 2 solo tackles on special teams.

Trevor Jungman joined the Minot State football staff as a volunteer coach in the spring of 2026 after two season as a quarterback for the Beavers. In two seasons on the gridiron, Jungman played in 5 games for Minot State while also being named to the President's List multiple times, earning NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence Honors, the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award, and induction into National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society.

Coach Trujillo joined the Minot State football staff in the summer of 2026 as the Beavers' cornerbacks coach.  A product of Los Angeles and Lutheran High School, Coach Trujillo started his collegiate playing career at the University of Colorado, playing two seasons for the Buffaloes. He had stops at Wake Forest and North Alabama before finishing his collegiate career at the University of Idaho. Following college, he played in The Major League of Indoor Football with the San Diego Strike Force in 2025 and played in 5 games for the Quad City Steamwheelers in 2026, with an interception and 8 tackles.

Coach Tom Simi joined the Beaver football staff in the winter of 2023 and will be the assistant head coach for Minot State and offensive line coach. Coach Simi joins the Minot State staff after spending the last previous seasons as an assistant for The Citadel in South Carolina, a NCAA Division I FCS program. While at the Citadel, Coach Simi coached All-Southern Conference OT Tereis Drayton. Prior to joining the staff at The Citadel, Simi spent three seasons working alongside current Minot State head coach Ian Shields at Jacksonville University as the associate head coach and offensive line coach for the Dolphins. During his time at Jacksonville, the Dolphins’ ranked in the Top 5 nationally in rushing yards per game each season. During his first season (2017) the offense averaged 30 points per game, ranked in the top 5 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed, and three offensive linemen earned post-season honors. During the 2018 season, Jacksonville's offense ranked third nationally in rushing and two offensive linemen earned post-season honors. And in 2019, the team allowed just 3 sacks in the final 6 games of the season, the team was top 5 nationally in rushing, three offensive linemen earned post-season honors, and the team maintained a 3.0 GPA. Simi also spent two seasons as the associate head coach and offensive line coach at Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), spent the 2013 season as an assistant coach at Army, and served as head coach for the USMA Prep School from 2009-12. During the 2014 season, Lenoir-Rhyne went 11-0 during the regular season, won the South Atlantic Conference Championship, and finished No. 8 in the final NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. The team averaged 416 yards rushing per game and 37 points per game while allowing the 2nd-fewest sacks in the country led by All-American and Gene Upshaw Finalist Joseph Ray. In 2015, Lenoir-Rhyne was No. 1 in the national in rushing averaging 384 yards per game, again allowed the 2nd-fewest sacks, and Joseph Ray was once again a Gene Upshaw Award Finalist. While at Army, Coach Simi's offensive line powered a run game that ranked 3rd in the nation during the 2014 season, and while head coach at the U.S. Military Academy Pre School, his teams went 23-13 overall and were 21-6 in his final three seasons (2010-2012). Coach Simi's collegiate head-coaching duties began in 2008 when he took over the Feather River Junior College team in California after four seasons as offensive line coach. At Feather River Coach Simi's teams made 4 bowl appearances in 5 years with Coach Simi the head coach for the 2008 season. He also coached 3 All-State players (out of 72 California junior colleges) and 10 All-Conference offensive linemen, and guided 9 offensive linemen to scholarships at FBS and FCS programs. Simi's coaching career began at his alma mater, Eastern Oregon, from 1997-2001 where his team finished in the NAIA Top 25 in 1998 and beat three Top 25 foes. In 1999, his Mountaineers were ranked in the Top 10 nationally in total offense and rushing offense. A four-year starter with the Mountaineers, where he earned his Bachelors in History, Simi also twice earned All-Conference honors. Simi is married to Kathleen Simi, and has a daughter, Hannah, and a son, Caleb.

Coach McBride joined the Minot State football staff in the spring of 2023 and was brought in as the Beavers defensive line coach, football facilities coordinator, and video coordinator. In the winter of 2026 Coach McBride was promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinator after helping lead Minot State to the 7th ranked run defense in the conference play and best in the DII era in 2025. During the 2025 season, the defensive line amassed a total of 171 tackles. During the 2024 Minot State ranked 3rd in pass defense and ranked 1st in pass defense in 2023. A former linebacker and defensive back at the University of Hawaii, McBride played professionally for the Edmonton Elks (2016) of the Canadian Football League before starting his coaching career. Prior to joining Minot State, McBride spent two years as the Head Coach at Etna High School (Calif.), where he also worked with wide receivers and defensive backs. Prior to that, he served as defensive Coordinator, defensive back, and linebacker coach during four years at Yreka High School (Calif.).  He also served as defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for the Southern Oregon Lady Gades professional football team. Coach McBride attended Mendocino College in Ukiah, Cali, playing under head coach Tom Gang and defensive coordinator Mike Mari. A two-year starter, he played both cornerback and safety and helped lead the team to league title in 2009 as he tallied 88 tackles, four interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one touchdown during his career. Coach McBride is a 2012 graduate of the University of Hawaii with a degree in Sociology. He is joined in Minot by his wife Ashlie and two sons Aayden & Apollo.

Coach Tommy Langford joined the Beaver football program in the spring of 2025 as an assistant coach. He joins the Beavers after serving as the Defensive Coordinator for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.   Prior to his second stint at IMG Academy, Coach Langford worked under coach Will Healy for the University of Charlotte 49ers as their nickles coach from 2019 until 2023. While there the 49ers had their single best season in school history and were top 25 in red-zone defense and Bahamas Bowl participants in 2019.      Langford was hired at Christ School as an assistant in 2017 before taking over as head coach for the 2018 season. The Greenies went 10-2, this past season and finished as state runners-up following a 43-14 loss to Charlotte Christian in the title game. In 2017, he was the team’s special teams coordinator, strength and speed coordinator, and linebackers and quarterbacks coach. He was head coach of the North Carolina All-Stars at the 2018 Border Bowl.     Prior to his time at Christ School, Langford was at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for four years. While there, he held roles as interim defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, defensive backs coach, and special teams assistant. He also was the lead linebackers coach for Under Armour’s All-American Underclassmen Combine in 2014 and personally coordinated the NFL Combine and Pro Day workouts for current Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen. In 2015 and 2016, he worked with linebackers at the Nike Regional Combines in Orlando, Fla. He did pro day and combine classroom, field and interview prep for the likes of Ryan Shazier, CJ Mosley and Trent Murphy. He also coached high school Butkus Award Winner Dylan Moses in his senior year. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn., in 2015. He was a student assistant football coach there in 2010 and a volunteer strength and conditioning coach in 2012.  

Coach Mike Famiglietti joined the Minot State football staff in the summer of 2022 and is the team's running backs coach, special teams coordinator, and recruiting coordinator. He spent his first season with the Beavers as the teams' wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator. A finalist for the Footballscoop Assistant Coach of The Year award in 2020-21, Coach "Fam" spent the previous two seasons as a top assistant coach at Kansas Wesleyan helping guide the Coyotes to the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference title and an NAIA national quarterfinal game in the fall of 2021. In his two seasons in Salina, Kansas, he was offensive coordinator, tight ends and fullbacks coach, and special teams coach. He also served as the head of recruiting for the last year and was the women’s flag football head coach, as well. Prior to his time in Kansas, Famiglietti spent two seasons in the NSIC with Northern State as an assistant where he was the associate recruiting coordinator for the Wolves and a specialists and running backs coach. Famiglietti spent two seasons as special teams and running backs coach at Wisconsin Lutheran College prior to his time in Aberdeen and built a connection with North Dakota as he was an assistant at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks for a year, working with the offense, as a recruiting assistant, and as video coordinator. The time at UND was not his only experience with NCAA Division I football, though, as Famiglietti started his playing career as the starting long snapper as a true freshman at FBS Western Michigan, then transferred to FCS Western Illinois where he spent three more seasons as a starter at long snapper for the Leathernecks and was twice named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Academic Honor Roll. He graduated from Western Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry-Biochemistry with minors in Spanish and Microbiology, and he received his master's from Wisconsin Lutheran in Education. Along with his time on the college sidelines, he has also served on the AFCA Professional Development Series Committee and is on the Division 2 Football Assistant Coaches committee and been an invited guest coach at the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, Western Illinois, and Western Michigan football camps. In May of 2023, Coach Famiglietti tied the knot, marrying Kate Famiglietti who works in enrollment services at Minot State.

Coach Johnson joined the Minot State football staff in the spring of 2023 and will the Beavers cornerbacks coach. An All-Conference at DB at Jacksonville University where he planed under head coach Ian Shields, most recently played professional football in Italy with the Milano Seamen of the American Football International league as a player/coach during the summer of 2021, and as a member of the Jacksonville Sharks of National Arena League during the summer 2022. He also has spent the last three years serving as a teacher in the Duval County School District. A 2020 graduate of Jacksonville University with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice, Johnson received his masters in Sports Management from Minot State in 2024, while serving as an assistant coach for the Beaver football program.