University of Mary Men's Football

Laif Olson, a former all-conference collegiate golfer and a founding member of Dakota Junior Golf, joined the University of Mary as head golf coach in February 2022.  A native of North Dakota, Olson has a long history of involvement with the Bismarck golf community, particularly at the youth level. A first team All-North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC) golfer and team captain for Bismarck State College in 1982 and 1983, Olson became a founding member and president of Dakota Junior Golf from 2005-2013, later serving as a board member until 2017. Olson led the efforts of Dakota Junior Golf to provide equal golf opportunities for all youth; founded, planned, and developed charitable benefits and tournaments, and wrote grants for facilities and equipment. “Laif Olson is deeply ingrained in the Bismarck golf community and has made a commitment to provide opportunities for youth golfers in our area,” said Marauders Director of Athletics Dale Lennon. “We feel that with his knowledge and connections, Laif will be a great fit within Marauders athletics and continue to help grow our golf program.” “I am excited to start working with the student-athletes on the University of Mary men’s golf team,” said Olson. “The University of Mary athletic department has a long history of excellence on the playing field and in the classroom. My wish is to continue and enhance this tradition of virtue and greatness.” As the current president of the Bismarck Recreation Council, Olson leads the fundraising efforts for the Bismarck Park District to enhance existing and create new park district facilities and programs. “Laif will do a tremendous job with the University of Mary golf program,” said Tim Doppler, the Bismarck Parks and Recreation golf operations manager. “His commitment to excellence is going to produce wonderful student-athletes at the University of Mary. Laif is committed to success and has the experience and wisdom to guide the golf program into a successful future.” Olson, who currently serves as the director of the personal insurance division for HUB International Insurance, earned his associate degree from Bismarck State and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota, graduating with cum laude honors from both schools.    

The University of Mary introduced former NFL player and Baker, MT, native Shann Schillinger as its new head coach at a press conference, Monday, March 27. The Schillinger name is synonymous with football in the Big Sky state and legendary among fans, sports reporters, and coaches. Schillinger, a former star at the University of Montana, coached in both the NCAA Division I Big Ten and Big Sky conferences. And just last year, his home state inducted him into the Montana Football Hall of Fame.   Schillinger begins his duties immediately, and becomes only the eighth University of Mary head football coach to don the Marauders orange and blue since the program kicked off in 1988.   "I am extremely honored to be the next head coach of the University of Mary Marauders and humbled by the trust bestowed upon me to take on this tremedous responsibility," said Schillinger. "I've always admired and respected this university from afar and now by the grace of God, I am blessed to help impact for the better — along with our football coaches — the lives of young men as part of our athletics-wide efforts to instill 'Greatness through Virtue.' It's safe to say, I was born with football in my blood, a competitive spirit that is second to none, and an exhaustive desire to win. I promise you, we will build winners with strong moral character."   After a star-studded career with the University of Montana Grizzlies, NFL fans heard Schillinger's name called on national TV by the Atlanta Falcons in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Drafted as the 171st overall pick, Schillinger played four years in the NFL as a safety from 2010 to 2013 with the Falcons and Tennessee Titans. Schillinger's full-time coaching career began after the NFL in 2015 as a special teams and defensive backs assistant for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. He returned to his alma mater in Missoula to coach special teams and safeties from 2016 to 2021 and served as the team's pro scout liaison.   University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea and Shann Schillinger share a light moment. Schillinger added, "I've said this before and I'll say it again: there is so much more to football than x's and o's. When I went to college, under coach Bobby Hauck's system, I grew up from a boy to a man. The structure, the accountability of being on time, he instilled that into me. My coaches, the way they coached me, they guided me. And that made me feel like I wanted to coach. I didn't know what I would do when I first retired from the NFL. But when you consider the impact my coaches had on me it's something I could never fully repay, but I always try to give back. This game has given my family so much. Football is something I don't know where my life would be without it. That's the feeling and mindset I want every Marauders football player to experience — in addition to winning." Winning is a common theme throughout Schillinger's career. Between high school and college Schillinger's teams posted 100 victories and only seven defeats. As team captain, from 2001 to 2004, Schillinger won three state titles during his four years as quarterback and defensive back at Baker High School coached by his uncle Don Schillinger, one of the winningest prep coaches in Montana history. Dubbed "the fastest man from Baker, MT," his accolades made him a highly recruited college prospect before signing on with the Grizzlies as a safety. Schillinger helped lead the Grizzlies to two Football Championship Series (FCS) title games while also earning All-Big Sky Conference honors, and is a two-time winner of the Tony Barbour Award given annually to the "player who best exemplifies outstanding practice habits and makes an unselfish contribution to the betterment of the Grizzly football team." He ranks among the best in Montana history with 257 career takedowns and 11 career interceptions. "Growing up in a family steeped in tradition, Shann eats, sleeps, and breathes football with an unparalleled passion," remarked Monsignor James Shea, who in 2009 became University of Mary's president and the youngest at any U.S. college or university at that time. "I know from spending time with Shann, his objective is to win with the purpose of forming young men of greatness. I know what it is like to take on a big role without much experience, but if you understand the mission and vision and are committed to it, great things will happen. Shann will do great things and help the Marauders football team achieve our objective of winning championships." The Marauders head coaching position became available in February when former head coach Craig Bagnell took a coaching position at an NCAA Division I school. At that time, the University of Mary instantly received interest from coaching candidates across the country, and had nearly 100 coaching applicants.   Although not yet on-campus as the University of Mary's new executive director of intercollegiate athletics, Cooper Jones is excited about the prospect of Schillinger taking the reins of the UMary football program.   "Shann elevated himself from a talented and deep candidate pool to be our choice as the Marauders next Head Football Coach," said Jones. "His experiences coaching in the Big Ten, SEC, and Big Sky conferences were incredibly appealing to the search committee, and Shann's deep ties to the region made us feel that he could help us in our quest to win championships and bring 'Greatness through Virtue' to the football program at UMary." Schillinger's references and close mentors are vast and wide, including former Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher and his fishing buddy University of Montana Head Coach Bobby Hauck. Fisher has 22 years of NFL head coaching experience, 17 with the Titans, and like Schillinger, played in the NFL as a defensive back.   "I am so excited for Shann and congrats to the University of Mary," exclaimed Fisher over the phone. "I've followed him through his experiences, including time in the NFL with the Falcons.  He's going to do a lot of good stuff, and he'll do it right. You've got a new fan. It's so cool — good people find good people. You've got a good man! Shann is approachable, compassionate, and a great listener, not to mention a great husband and father.  He'll be a great inspiration and role model to the student athletes. He's got that quality knowing how important it is to reach out to people who have done it before. Shann has people around him that want to see him be successful, and I expect to be at the top of his list. The Marauders are off and running — this will be fun." Hauck is another one of Schillinger's biggest fans on and off the field.   "What an excellent hire by the University of Mary. I've known Coach Schillinger since I recruited him as a junior in high school, coaching him through his college career and now working closely with him as a professional. He is knowledgeable, a great competitor, and outstanding family man. An all-around good person. I'm excited to watch the trajectory of the football program and the great things that Shann and his staff will do at Mary."   Schillinger and his wife Ericka, a Beach, ND, native, have three daughters Lenex (9), Malloy (7), and Indie (4). Schillinger's brother, Jace, a former All-American running back at Dickinson State, holds 12 school records. Schillinger begins his duties just in time to lead the Marauders during Spring Ball workouts that started last week.  #marauders#

Ben Davis enters his ninth season on the sidelines for the Marauders in 2022 and will be transitioning back to coaching the defensive line after three seasons as the linebackers coach. He became the defensive coordinator in the spring of 2020 after getting elevated to the position from co-defensive coordinator after the 2019 season. In 2021, after his first season as defensive coordinator, the defense improved in several statistical categories including points per game, total defense, rush defense, 3rd down defense, and redzone defense. The 2021 season was highlighted with the improvement on 3rd downs and in the redzone on defense, climbing the conference rankings in both categories. On 3rd downs, the defense improved from 16th in the NSIC to 7th, going from a conversion percentage of 47.3% in 2019 to 39.5% in 2021. In the red zone, the defense improved from 10th in the NSIC to tied for 6th, improving over 2% on scoring drives allowed when in the redzone going from 80.8% to 78.7%. After spending a season away, Davis returned to the Marauders in February 2019 as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. The linebacker group was led by Paul Guptill who became an all-conference performer.  Paul led the team in sacks (3), tackles for loss (9.5), forced fumbles (2) and defensive touchdowns (2). Guptill was second on the team with 81 tackles (34 solo).  He was also named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the final game of the 2019 season, returning an interception 39 yards for a score, getting a sack, and totaling nine tackles. Davis spent one season coaching at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, during the 2018 season. After beginning his time there as the defensive line coach for the Eagles, Davis was promoted to defensive coordinator at the NCAA Division III school in the fifth week of the season. Benedictine finished second in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in sacks and defensive tackle Jack Drummond was a second team all-conference selection, one of two Eagles defensive players to receive all-league honors. Prior to his year away from UMary, Davis coached the defensive line in 2016 and 2017. The defensive line was anchored by defensive tackle Brock Pittsley, an all-conference performer in 2017 who recorded seven sacks (3rd most in the NSIC). In that two year period, UMary jumped eight slots in sacks on the Northern Sun leaderboard, moving from 16th to 8th. After a brief stint at UW-Stout, he returned to coach the Marauders full time in the spring of 2015 as the offensive line coach. The UMary offensive line allowed sacks on just 4.84 percent of drop backs, the fifth-best figure in the league. With the transition of offensive philosophy, he returned to his home on the defensive line for the 2016 season.  Davis originally came to UMary in 2013 as a graduate assistant coaching the running backs. He moved to defensive ends coach for the 2014 season, when he worked with Marauders all-conference defensive end Troy Guptill who finished fourth in the NSIC that season in sacks with ten. He started his collegiate coaching experience at his alma mater in 2012, where Davis guided the MacMurray College Highlanders starting running back to second team all-conference honors. A starter at both defensive end and nose tackle at MacMurray, Davis earned UMAC academic all-conference honors in 2010 and was recognized by the Highlanders athletic department for graduating with the highest academic achievement for a male athlete during the 2011-12 academic year. Davis graduated from MacMurray College in 2011 with a degree in Sports Management and a minor in coaching. He earned a master's degree in Business Administration from UMary in 2014. Davis’ wife Liz, works as an athletic trainer at UMary working with several of our athletic programs.  

Van Cooper joined the University of Mary football coaching staff prior to the 2023 season as the special teams coordinator and safties coach. Prior to UMary, Cooper was the Carroll College Special Teams Coordinator and Secondary Coach in 2022 when the Saints won the 2022 Frontier Conference championship and advanced to the 1st round appearance in the NAIA playoffs. The secondary finished 11th in the nation in pass defense, allowing just 159 yards passing per game. CB Zach Spiroff earned 2nd team all-conference honors. Kicker Spencer Berger was a 1st team All-Conference selection as a freshman.   Cooper started his coaching career at his alma mater where he assisted at the University of Montana for two seasons. From 2012-2020, he coached football at the high school level in Arizona before returning to the college ranks in 2021 where he served as the safeties coach and co-special teams coordinator at MSU-Northern. MSU-Northern finished 11th in the NAIA with 16 interceptions. Isaiah Paul finished 5th in the nation with 7 interceptions and received 2nd team All-Frontier Conference recognition.   Cooper played football at the collegiate level for the University of Montana from 2003-2007, starting for four conference championship teams and winning the team's Special Teams Player of the year award in 2005. In 2004 Cooper played in the FCS National Championship game.  

Jared Spooner joined the University of Mary Hockey coaching staff prior to the 2024-25 season.   Jared completed his 1st season as an assistant coach with the Marauders in 2024-25. He also works as a regional manager for Focus (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). He came to UMary after three years with Focus as a missionary on college campuses. His main duties will be with the Marauders offensive play and powerplay. He helped UMary return to the ACHA M1 National Tournament in 2024-25. The Marauders have qualified for six consecutive (each year they have been eligible) M2 and M1 tournaments winning championships in 2019-20 and 2020-21. A native of Bismarck ND, Jared graduated from Bismarck High School in 2014 after a remarkably successful senior year. Jared was a part of Bismarck High’s 2014 Hockey and Baseball state championship teams and the Bismarck Governors ND American Legion AA Baseball State Championship team. Know for a relentless work ethic, Jared was recognized as MVP of the 2014 State Hockey Tournament and the 2014 American Legion AA State Baseball Tournament.   After high school, Jared began his junior hockey career in hopes of fulfilling his dream to play NCAA Division 1. He began by playing for the Bismarck Bobcats in the NAHL from 2014-2015 where Jared tallied 9 goals and dished 36 assists for 45 points in 65 games. Jared was then drafted 18th overall in the second round of the 2015 USHL entry draft by the Green Bay Gamblers. During his two years with the Gamblers Jared scored 25 goals and had 38 assists for 63 points in 115 games. Jared served as the Captain of the Gamblers from 2016-2017.   Jared fulfilled his dream by playing for the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato from 2017-2021. The Mavericks built a winning legacy during Jared’s time at MSU, posting a record of 114-28-6. The Mavericks won four consecutive McNaughton Cups as the regular season  champions. In 2018-19 the Mavericks also won the WCHA Playoff Championship. As a senior Jared was an Alternate Captain and guided the Mavericks to their first-ever NCAA Hockey Frozen Four appearance before falling in the semifinal game. Jared was recognized by his team as the hardest worker in 2020 and 2021 and received the Mavericks Leadership Award in 2021. During his collegiate career Jared totaled 23 goals and 49 assists for 72 points in 135 games and was a +45.   Jared's time at Minnesota State was transformational on and off the ice. Through their team Bible Study Jared and his teammates grew in their faith in Jesus Christ. His four years in Mankato were deeply transformational for Jared’s faith as he developed a passion for sharing his faith with others. After college Jared went on to serve as a Campus Missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students from 2021-2024 at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. During his time as a focus missionary, Jared met his lovely wife, and they were married in the summer of 2024. Jared and Lucy love spending quality time with friends and family. The Spooners are grateful for the impact of the University of Mary’s mission and vision.   Jared’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of virtue, family, and faith. He is passionate about helping athletes grow in character and integrity, fostering an environment where they can thrive academically, athletically, and spiritually.