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MSU-Northern Lights Mark Samson
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Rick Wells
Mark Samson (406) 265-3746 Graduated from the University of Montana in 1982 (History/Political Science) Coach Samson has been the head coach at Northern for 4 years. In 2007, the Lights finished with a 6-5 record. In 2006, the Lights posted a school best 9-3 record and earned their first ever NAIA national playoff bid. Samson’s overall record at Northern stands at 23-23. In 2007, a total of nine players were named to the Frontier All-Conference Team, and three players (Marc Samson, Josh Glahn, Don Saisbury) were named as All-Americans. Additionally, 20 Lights were named to the Frontier Conference All-Academic Team. In addition to his coaching duties, Samson also serves as Northern’s Athletic Director There were many hi-lites to the 2006 season, none more significant than a 10-3 win over #1 ranked Carroll College which ended the Saints 29 game win streak. A total of fourteen Lights were named to the Frontier All-Conference squad. Kyle Samson became the first Light to be named MVP within the Conference (QB) and Marc Samson became the first Light honored by the American Football Coaches Association as a 1st team All-American. Coach Samson was honored as Frontier Conference Co-Coach of the Year in 2006, as well as being named as AFCA Region 5 National Coach of the Year. Samson's first coaching job was at Helena High School in 1981 (running backs) under Mike Kramer, who is the current head football coach at Montana State University. The Bengals finished the season with a 5-4 record. Samson was hired at Broadwater County HS in Townsend, MT in 1983 and served as defensive coordinator under Chuck Harvey. In 4 seasons at BCHS, the Bulldogs achieved a record of 18-14 with one conference title in 1985. His first head coaching position was at Missoula Loyola HS (1987-89) and during that time, Samson turned around a losing program (1-7) to records of 5-3 and 6-2. Samson also served as head track coach at Loyola. In the Spring of 1990, Samson was hired at Carroll College as Receivers/Special Teams coach for Hall of Fame coach Bob Petrino. In 1992, Samson was promoted to Offensive Coordinator/QB’s Coach. In seven seasons, the Saints won two Frontier Conference titles (1990, 1993) and advanced to the NAIA national playoffs twice (1993, 1996). during his seven years with the Saints, Carroll was 41-24. In the Spring of 1997, Samson was hired at Helena Capital High School as Head Coach. The Bruins qualified for the State AA playoffs in six of his seven years as head coach and won three state titles (1999, 2000, 2002). Samson’s overall record at Capital High was 67-12. Samson and his wife Kellie (Petrino)
have been married for 25 years. Kellie is an
elementary school teacher. Mark and Kellie have
three children: Kyle, who is serving as an assistant
coach. Marc, who is a senior DB at Northern majoring in
Health Promotions and is married to Katie Polette; and Tricia, a senior at Havre High School
who maintains a 4.0 GPA and has career ambitions to
work in the coaching field.
Rick Wells (406) 265-3764 Coach Wells, an Oregon native, holds a BA degree in English Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. He played for the Cowboys as an offensive lineman for two seasons after an All-American junior college career at Treasure Valley CC in Ontario, OR. A veteran of over 30 seasons including high school posts at Natrona County HS in Casper WY, CM Russell in Great Falls, where he was on Jack Johnson's first State Championship staff, and a season each in Riverton WY, and AJ Dimond HS in Anchorage, AK. Coach Wells began his collegiate coaching at his junior college in 1977--79, where he coached the offensive line. This season will be Coach Wells' 23rd in the Frontier Conference. He was at Western in 1980--83. He spent fifteen season's (1984--98) as defensive coordinator on Coach Bob Petrino's staff at Carroll, where the team amassed 8 conference championships and 7 playoff appearances. Wells then moved to Jamestown ND where he spent 2 season's as Defensive Coordinator for the Jimmies. He also coached the Bismarck Roughriders in the NIFL arena league, and spent a season in Kingsville Texas at Texas A & M-- Kingsville. Coach Wells came to Northern with Coach Samson in 2004 as the Defensive Coordinator, and this will be his 4rth season for the Lights. He and his wife, Mary-Jo, have been married for twenty two years. She is a kindergarten teacher at Highland Park Early Primary. The couple has two children. Hanna is a senior this Fall at Havre High, and excells in volleyball, basketball and track. She is also an honor student. Their son, Ted, is a junior Health Promotions major at MSU--N, and enters his 3rd season as a defensive back for the Lights, after an all-state senior season at Havre High.
(406) 265-3750 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 a daughter named Taylor. Scott is employed by Triangle
Telephone. (406)
265-3750
Sean Moore Coach Moore is a native of Mayville, North Dakota is in his second year as an assistant coach at MSUN. He graduated from Mayville-Portland H.S. Sean attended Mayville State University for two years, playing football for the Comets both years. Sean moved to Whitewater, MT in 1996. He began coaching football in Malta as an assistant under Scott King in 2001. Sean is coaching the linebackers this year as the lights try to add to their tough defense of 2006. Sean is working towards a degree in
Elementary Education. He is married to Mandy, they have two
children; Thyus and Tatum.
Jason
Christenson (406) 265-3750 Jason comes to us from Havre High School where he was an Assistant Football coach for the past five seasons. Coach Christenson began as the Offensive and Defensive Line coach for two years, in his third years Jason took over the responsibilities as Defensive Coordinator. In Jason's three year stint as coordinator the Blue Ponies advanced to the Class "A" semifinals all three years, making the championship game twice and winning the Class "A" Championship in 2004. A native of Ft. Peck, Montana, Jason graduated from Havre High, where, as a Blue Pony offensive lineman he earned All-Conference and All-State honors. Jason was also selected to play in the 45th annual Montana East-West Shrine Bowl. Jason was also a member of the inaugural Northern Light Football program. Jason is working towards his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education.
Danny Wirtzberger A Havre native, Danny graduated from Havre High in 2002. Danny was the starting quarterback for Havre High for two years, where he earned all-conference and all-state honors. After graduation Danny attended Jamestown College in ND for two years, starting as quarterback his second year. Danny transferred to Northern in 2004 where he finished his playing career. He is now working with the defensive backs for the Lights. Danny is holds a degree in Physical/ Elementary Education. He teaches 4th grade for Sunnyside Elementary and is married to the former Katie Miller of Havre.
Kyle Samson (406) 265-4184 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 has been Northern's starting quarterback for the past three 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. Kyle has a degree in Health/Physical Education. He is engaged to Brooke Schwan of Havre and is
Hugo Anderson Wide Receivers- 1st year Hugo is in his first season as a member of the MSU-Northern coaching staff. He is a graduate of Medicine Lake High School. A high school standout Anderson was selected to the Class “C” All-State team as a tailback in both his junior and senior season. Hugo continued his playing career at Dickinson State University where he played wide receiver from 2001-2004. He is currently seeking a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education and is set to graduate in the spring of ’08. Tyson Roe Asssistant Offensive Line - 1st year Tyson Roe joins the Lights this season as an assistant working with the Offensive Line. Tyson spent the last four years playing at the University of Mary and started at guard the last three years for the Marauders. Tyson starred at Havre High School under the direction of Troy Purcell. Tyson obtained his Social Behavioral Degree at Mary and is working towards a Secondary Education Degree here at Northern.
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Montana State University-Northern Athletic Department (406) 265-3761 (Phone) | (406) 265-4129 (Fax) Contact Us www.msun.edu/athletics |
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2005 Updated: 03/27/2008 |
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