Brent Bolte breaks down the Beavers’ non-conference deal with Michigan Tech and the coaching changes

Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part story on Bemidji State football.

first part,

including a roster breakdown from head coach Brent Bolte, ran in the May 4, 2024 edition of The Bemidji Pioneer.

BEMIDJI – When Upper Iowa left the NSIC, it started a domino effect that changed the trajectory of several NSIC football teams in 2023.

The Peacocks have left openings in the NSIC calendar, none bigger than on the gridiron. Schedules were left with two options: leave the recent open week without competition or schedule a non-conference game.

Bemidji State couldn’t find a team outside the NSIC to fill its Week 6 opening, leaving the Beavers with a 10-game schedule. It proved beneficial for head coach Brent Bolte and his team, which took the two weeks following a 27-24 home loss against Minnesota State to recover from a rough first half of the season.

In January, the NCAA approved Week Zero at the Division II level, giving NSIC schools a chance to start their seasons a week early without having to forgo a midseason bye week.

“It’s been a pretty complicated process — a pretty frustrating one,” Bolte said. “We could have gotten (an 11th game) last year, but with Upper Iowa leaving, we had to leave that date open. If the NCAA hadn’t approved Week Zero — they’re allowing you to play a week earlier now — I honestly don’t know if we would have played an 11th game this year.”

Fortunately for Bolte and BSU, NCAA approval was granted to extend the regular season by a week, clearing the way for Bemidji State’s first non-conference game on August 25, 2011.

In steps Michigan Tech, a team the Beavers haven’t played since 1993.

“They always have geographic issues,” Bolte said. “Their closest games are against teams in their own conference. It’s the same problem with us. They are a good football team that has been sitting around .500 for a while. The strength of the program, it made sense to do this. They will be in our region next year or the year after.”

Bolte said BSU entered into a three-year contract with the Huskies to play Zero Week games. Bemidji State hosts MTU on Aug. 29 at Chet Anderson Stadium. The Beavers will travel to Houghton, Michigan to open the 2025 season.

Annalize Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

“There’s a lot of things that go into it,” Bolte said. “I’m competitive as hell and I want to play the games. If we had the budget to go to Texas or somewhere else, we probably would have. It’s hard to find an opponent who can make a return game or go back and forth. … But I’m all for it. I wish we had more conferences closer to us, but it’s a no-brainer to be able to do this and hopefully (NSIC) not go back to the silo approach come Jamestown.”

Bolte also noted the risks of scheduling non-conference games. Bemidji State’s eight-year head coach was on the Division II playoff selection committee last fall. It was an eye-opening experience.

“The more I learn about it, the more I understand that you have to play a team that will increase your strength of schedule,” Bolte said. “Sometimes it’s almost more beneficial not to play one. You look at Duluth last year, they played a team that was 0-11. I think (UMD) was as good as anybody to make the playoffs at 9-2. That game probably cost them (Minnesota State), a team they beat head-to-head.”

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Michigan Tech finished 15-16 over the past three seasons. Bolte isn’t worried about the Huskies holding their own in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“To me, you just have to have a historical view of their program,” Bolte said. “They’ve been over or around .500 for a while. They are well coached and have played some tough teams. I got some film and saw them play really hard against Grand Valley. In my opinion, they were the second or third best team in the country last year.”

In the spirit of firsts, the Beavers also broke new ground in the new era of D-II college football, aside from scheduling their first non-conference game in 13 years.

BSU played in a second spring game in April. The players prepared for their traditional game in green and white on April 6. Two weeks later, they hit the road for a game against Minnesota Duluth.

“I was one of the few coaches that wanted to go on the road for this,” Bolte said. “Let’s go into the hostile environment. Let’s get out of our routine here at home. Our kids were excited. It gets a little mundane hitting the same guys and doing the same drills in practice every day. I know our kids were hungry to do it. They went there and did really well.”

Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

Bemidji State does not play the Bulldogs in 2024, making them a perfect opponent for a newly adopted spring format. The NCAA recently approved the ability for schools to play each other in the spring.

“You can play the game against anyone you want,” Bolte said. “It was nice to do it against Duluth. In a normal year where we play them in the fall, I don’t know if that’s what any team would want to do. You don’t want to show or do too much against a rival. Logistically and geographically, it made a lot of sense to go against them.”

BSU will not play UMD every spring.

“I looked at different opportunities, like going to the Twin Cities, maybe doing an alumni event,” Bolte continued. “We’ll probably change the timing so we can do more around our (10th) practice instead of our 15th practice, just to have more bodies. Some guys get hurt or we lose them. There are a few things to adjust, but we’re still going to make those moves going forward.”

Jordan Hein has been with the Bemidji State football program for the better part of 10 years. He played quarterback for the Beavers from 2014-17, earning a Harlon Hill Trophy nomination in 2016. He helped BSU to its first postseason win that same year in the Mineral Water Bowl against Washburn.

Hein joined the coaching staff after his playing career. The quarterback has turned into a wide receiver and co-special teams coordinator. Now, one of Bemidji State’s most revered football players has earned his shot at an elevated coaching position. Hein accepted a role as North State’s offensive coordinator.

“First of all, I want to thank Jordy for everything he has done for the program as a player and coach,” Bolte said. “I’ve known that guy for over a decade since the draft. … I will miss him very much. I love the guy outside of the coaching aspect. It’s a great nut.”

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Bolte met Hein before the recruiting process began. Hein’s brother, Jesse, played center on the Beavers’ offensive line.

Over the past decade, Bolte’s relationship with Hein has developed into a bond bigger than football. He has seen his former recruit become one of the best players in program history and a beloved coach who is finally getting a chance to build an offense.

Bolte said he is in the process of filling the coaching vacancy. He expects to complete the hiring process in the next two weeks.

“I don’t know if you can replace Jordy with one person,” Bolte trailed off. “He had a great relationship with coach (Karson) Pike and our passing game. We will share some roles, including special teams. (Alex) Ney will accept more of a role. He was our co-special teams coordinator last year. But we wish Jordy well, unless the Beavs are playing. He truly deserves the opportunities he’s earned.”