Mark Samson (8th Year)
Head Coach

Mark Samson begins his 8th year as Head Coach of the Lights and 30th year of coaching High School and College football with in the state of Montana. Coach Samson, a native of Helena MT, is a 1982 graduate of the University of Montana with a History/Political Science degree.

In his seven seasons at Northern, the Lights have emerged nationally as a program to be reckoned with. After an initial 2-9 campaign in 2004, Northern ran off 4 straight winning seasons hi-lited by a first ever national playoff appearance in 2006. Along with team recognition, the Lights have had two Conference MVP’s (Kyle Samson-2006: Justin Moe-2008) and a large number of All-Conference and All-American selections both athletically and academically. Samson himself was awarded as Frontier Conference Coach of the Year in 2006 as well as NAIA Region 9 Coach of the Year that same year.

Mark Samson’s coaching career began in 1982 as an assistant at Helena High School under Mike Kramer. In 1984, Samson was hired at Broadwater Co. High School where he served as Defensive Coordinator for the Bulldogs under former Northern quarterback Chuck Harvey for four seasons. The Bulldogs were conference champs in 1985 and during his four years at Townsend, the Bulldogs were a combined 20-14.

Samson’s first head coaching job was at Missoula Loyola HS (1987-89), and after a 1-7 campaign in 1986, the Rams were 5-3 and 6-2 the following two seasons. Samson also served as Head Track Coach at Loyola for 1988-89.

In the Spring of 1990, Samson accepted an assistant position with National powerhouse Carroll College under the direction of Hall of fame Coach Bob Petrino. In his first two seasons, Samson served as wide receiver’s coach and in charge of Special Teams. In the spring of 1992, Samson was elevated to Offensive Coordinator/QB’s Coach. Carroll was Frontier Champions in 1990 and 1993 and also advanced to the NAIA national playoffs in 1996. In his seven seasons at Carroll, the Saints had an overall record of 41-24.

In the Spring of 1997, Samson was hired as Head Football Coach for Helena Capital High School. For seven seasons, the Bruins were one of the best programs in the entire state and achieved state championships in 1999, 2000, and 2002. The 2002 squad was the first HS team in Montana history to achieve a record of 13-0.The Bruins also set a then state AA record of 26 straight wins. Overall, Samson’s teams were 67-12 and had 6 state playoff appearances.

Mark has been married for 29 years to Kellie (Petrino) Samson. Kellie is a first grade teacher in Havre. Mark and Kellie have three children: Kyle, who serves as Offensive Coordinator for his father, and is married to Brooke Schwann; Marc, who is a Physical Therapist here in Havre and married to Katie Polette; and Tricia, who is in her fourth year of school at Northern. The Samson’s are also proud grandparents to Troy Thomas(Kyle and Brooke)and Kayley Elizabeth (Marc and Katie).

Along with his coaching duties, Mark has also been serving as Director of Athletics at Northern since March of 2007.

Kyle Samson (6th year)
Assistant head Coach
Offensive Coordinator/QBs
Recruiting Coordinator

Kyle is a native of Helena, MT.  He graduated from Capital High School in 2003, where he was the starting quarterback for two years earning all state honors as both a junior and senior.  Samson was a member of the 2002 State Championship team and was named the AA Offensive MVP for the State of Montana.  After graduation, Kyle attended the University of Montana on a football scholarship.  He played quarterback for the Grizzlies as a true freshman.  Kyle then transferred to MSU-Northern in the Spring of 2004 after his dad was named the new head football coach.  Kyle was Northern’s starting quarterback from 2004 -2006 years as well as a three year captain.  Kyle was a three time all conference selection (2004-2006) and two time All American selection (2005, 2006).  He was also named the Frontier Conference's Most Valuable Player in 2006. 

This will be Kyle’s 6th year on staff for the Lights and will be his 5th year as the offensive coordinator.   Under the direction of Coach Samson the Lights offense finished 1^st in the conference in 2011 in total offense and 4^th in the nation, averaging 455 yds per game.  The Lights offense had 7 all conference selections including 5 1^st teamers and also had 2 All Americans in 2011. Sophomore QB Derek Lear was named a 1^st team all-conference QB under the direction of Coach Samson last fall.  The lights offense returns 8 starters for 2012 and looks to once again be one of the top offenses in the conference and all of the NAIA.

Kyle earned his bachelor’s degree in Health/Physical Education from Northern. Kyle has been married for 4 years to the former Brooke Schwan of Havre.   She is a 2^nd grade teacher at Lincoln McKinley School.  Kyle and Brooke  have 2 children.  Troy Thomas turned 2 years old on April 11^th and they just recently had a baby girl, Jordyn Whitney on April 26^th.

Jake Eldridge(5th Year)
Defensive Coordinator
Head Strength and Conditioning

Jake, a Helena native, prepped at Helena Capital High School where, under Head Coach Mark Samson, won a State Championship in 2000. Jake was a two sport standout in both track and football earning All-State and All-Conference honors throughout his career. Eldridge's athletic success earned him dual track and football scholarships to the University of Mary upon graduation. Jake transferred to MSU-Northern when Coach Samson began in 2004. Jake was a four year starter for the Lights as well as a four year captain at defensive back where he garnered many All Conference and Academic honors. A knee injury limited Jake in his senior season, but he was able to finish out his career on the offensive side of the ball as a slot receiver in 2007.

Scott Leeds
Wide Receivers (13th)

Scott will begin his thirteenth year as receivers coach. Scott has coached numerous receivers to both All-American and All-Conference awards for the Lights in the past ten seasons.

A native of Havre Montana, Scott attended Carroll College in Helena Montana. Coach Leeds was a member of Bob Petrino’s Saints football team from 1991 – 1994, earning a Frontier Conference championship in 1993. Scott was an All-Conference selection in 1994 leading the Frontier Conference in receiving yardage. Scott earned his degree in business finance from Carroll College in 1995. Scott and his wife Kimberly have 5 children Brittany, Kayley, Justin, Taylor and Cael. Scott is employed by Triangle Telephone.

Kennedy Anderson
Linebackers (5th Year)

Kennedy is beginning his 5th season as Linebacker Coach for the Lights. A 2004 graduate of Fort Benton HS, Kennedy was a All-State performer both as Center and Linebacker for the Longhorns. Kennedy participated in the Class B All-Star Game, Mon-Dak All-Star Game, and East-West All-Star Game after graduation.

Kennedy joined the Lights in 2004 and started for the Lights from 2005-2007. Kennedy was an All-Conference performer for the Lights as he manned the all important “Mike” Linebacker position.

Kennedy graduated with a degree in Health Promotions. Kennedy’s brother, Khalin, is also a staff member for the Lights.

Khalin is a 2005 graduate of Fort Benton High School where he competed in football, basketball, and track, earning two All-State honors in football, one All-State honor in basketball and four All-State honors in track. He was also a 2005 East/West Shrine Bowl selection.

Khalin was a three year starter at cornerback for MSU-Northern and was named a defensive captain his senior year in 2008. Anderson received two 2nd Team All-Conference, one 1st Team All-Conference, and a 2nd Team Victory Sports Network All-American award throughout his college career.

Khalin graduated from MSUN in the spring of 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Promotions. He is in his fourth season of coaching on the Light's staff, and his brother Kennedy is in his fifth season as linebackers coach for the Lights.  Anderson has also become the assistant to Jake Eldridge for the Strength and Conditioning program. Khalin’s mother is Stella Scott of Fort Benton, MT and his father is Ken Maddox of Great Falls, MT.

Darold DeBolt ( 2nd year)
Defensive Line
bolt2150@hotmail.com
406-799-0055

Darold graduated high school from C M Russell High School were he was selected as a, 1st team all state Middle Linebacker in 1997. Upon graduating high school he attended college for a baseball scholarship for three years before transferring to Carroll College to play Middle linebacker.  Darold was a part of the 2002 National Championship team at Carroll College. 

After graduating from Carroll College with a History Degree, Darold coached 8 seasons for Jack Johnson at C M Russell High School.  Darold is furthering his education at MSU Northern to finish up his Teaching degree.

This is coach DeBolt’s second season on staff.  Darold came to the program in the spring of 2011 and he now takes on a full time role with the Lights staff, coaching on the defensive line.

Ron LaTray ( 2nd year )
Tight Ends and Assistant Offensive Line

Ron LaTray is a 1995 Chinook High School graduate. After attending Crown College, Ron moved to Whitefish and founded the Glacier Knights Semi-Professional Football Team. In 2007, Ron took over as Head Football Coach in Harlem at which time Ron and his wife Brandy moved back to Havre.  After a four year stay as Head Coach in Harlem, Ron comes to Northern for his second year as the Tight End/ Asst. Offensive Line Coach. In 2009 Ron and Brandy were blessed with their daughter, Teigan and in 2011 again had a blessing with their son, Tavin.