Tim Polasek is named head football coach at NDSU

Fargo, North Dakota – Director of Athletics Matt Larsen announced on Sunday that Tim Polasek has been selected as the 32nd head football coach in the program’s history at North Dakota State University.

After serving as the offensive coordinator for the previous three seasons under former NDSU head coach Craig Bohl in Wyoming, Polasek is making his way back to North Dakota State.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tim and Jill Polasek back to the Bison family,” Larsen said. “North Dakota State has one of the premier football programs in the country with incredibly high expectations and an unmatched fan base. Having been at NDSU two different times, Coach Polasek understands what it takes to be a Bison, appreciates our long history and tradition, and has the diverse experience to continue moving our football program forward.”

Polasek assisted with recruiting and special teams while coaching running backs, tight ends, and fullbacks for the NDSU offensive team from 2006 to 2012. In 2014, he went back to NDSU and worked for three seasons under Chris Klieman as the running backs coach and offensive coordinator.

“Tim’s passion is palpable and his ability to build relationships with our current players, future recruits, donors, alumni and fans is one of his greatest strengths. I am excited about this new era of Bison football,” Larsen said.

Polasek has eight years of FBS coaching experience in addition to his ten years in FCS at North Dakota State. He coached the tight ends and fullbacks at Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference in 2013. From 2017 to 2020, he served as Iowa’s offensive line coach for four seasons in the Big Ten. Since 2021, he has been Wyoming’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in the Mountain West Conference.

“I am delighted that Tim and Jill Polasek are reuniting with our NDSU family for what promises to be an exciting future for Bison football,” said NDSU President David Cook. “Tim brings to NDSU a deep understanding of our longstanding traditions and an unwavering commitment to the success of our student-athletes on and off the field.”

Polasek was a member of the coaching staff at NDSU who guided the Bison to six conference titles and four national titles. His main recruiting grounds have been in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He has participated in seven FBS bowl games.

“His knowledge of our great institution, paired with his championship experience, is what made him the clear choice to lead Bison football into the future,” Cook said. “Tim and Jill will be welcomed by our amazing Bison fans and the broader NDSU community who are always ready for a championship run.”

Polasek was a part of the NDSU coaching staff that won four national titles and six conference crowns for the Bison. Wisconsin and Minnesota have been his principal recruitment grounds. Seven FBS bowl games have seen him play.

“I am absolutely ecstatic to be back home at North Dakota State,” Polasek said. “It means so much to return to such a special place that has been incredibly formative professionally and personally. I am deeply honored to be able to give back to Fargo, the region, and Bison football.”

Polasek received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Concordia University in Wisconsin in 2002, and a master’s degree in education from Wisconsin-Stout in 2005.

He captained the Concordia football team for two years, during which time he set school records for throwing touchdowns (65) and career passing yards (6,979). He was elected to the Badger-Illini Conference Player of the Year in 2000 and was inducted into the Concordia University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. He was also chosen an all-conference pick three times.

Before moving on to North Dakota State in 2006, he spent three seasons working with the quarterbacks, tight ends, wide receivers, and defensive backs at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he began his collegiate coaching career in 2003.