5 Critical Takeaways From Concordia St. Paul Football's 2025 Season And The Coaching Change That Rocked The NSIC
The Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP) Golden Bears football program is entering a period of significant transition following the conclusion of the 2025 season. As of December 19, 2025, the team is actively searching for a new leader after the departure of Head Coach Shannon Currier, marking a pivotal moment for the Division II program within the highly competitive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
The 2025 campaign, which concluded with a challenging 2-9 overall record, was characterized by flashes of competitive play juxtaposed with heart-breaking, last-second defeats. While the final record was disappointing, the season highlighted key individual achievements and a strong emphasis on academic success, providing a foundation—and a significant challenge—for the incoming coaching staff.
The 2025 Season in Review: A Tale of Close Contests and a 2-9 Finish
The 2025 season saw the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears struggle to gain traction in the difficult NSIC landscape. The team finished with a 2-9 overall record and a 2-8 mark in conference play, placing them 12th in the final NSIC standings. Despite the final tally, the narrative of the season was often defined by the fine margins in Division II football.
The Golden Bears’ two victories demonstrated the team's potential, yet several games slipped away in the closing moments, highlighting a need for late-game execution and consistency. A particularly frustrating aspect of the season was the team's performance at home, where they finished 0-5, struggling to secure a win at Sea Foam Stadium. This lack of home-field advantage is a critical area for improvement as the program looks to re-establish its identity.
The NSIC South Division proved to be especially challenging, with the Golden Bears unable to secure a victory against their divisional rivals. The conference is consistently one of the toughest in Division II football, featuring perennial powerhouses like Augustana, Minnesota State, and Sioux Falls, which only amplifies the difficulty of climbing the NSIC standings. The 2025 season served as a stark reminder of the competitive intensity the Golden Bears must match to contend for a playoff spot.
Key statistical areas from the 2025 cumulative statistics show where the team excelled and where they faced significant hurdles. While the offense showed resilience in certain matchups, the defense often struggled to contain high-powered NSIC offenses, leading to a negative point differential throughout the year. The next head coach will undoubtedly prioritize shoring up both sides of the ball to convert those close losses into crucial wins.
All-NSIC Honors and Academic Excellence: The Bright Spots
Despite the team's overall record, individual talent and the program’s commitment to the student-athlete model provided significant bright spots in 2025. The Golden Bears celebrated multiple athletes earning recognition for their performance on the field and their dedication in the classroom.
2025 All-NSIC Selections
The most notable individual honor went to senior center Caydon Christensen, who anchored the offensive line and earned a prestigious spot on the All-NSIC First Team. Christensen's recognition as one of the top offensive linemen in the entire conference is a testament to his consistency, leadership, and elite performance, even as the team faced adversity. In total, three Golden Bears earned All-NSIC South Division honors for the 2025 season, highlighting pockets of high-level talent on the roster.
A Legacy of Academic Success
Concordia-St. Paul has long prided itself on the academic achievements of its athletes, and 2025 was no exception. The Golden Bears football program contributed significantly to the university's overall success, with 50 student-athletes being named to the 2025 NSIC Fall All-Academic Teams. This impressive number underscores the dedication of the players to their studies and reinforces the university's mission of building well-rounded individuals. The focus on academic rigor remains a core pillar of the Concordia St. Paul football legacy.
Notable Alumni and Program History
The current players follow in the footsteps of several distinguished alumni who have had success at the professional level. Defensive End Zach Moore, drafted in the 6th round of the 2014 NFL Draft, remains one of the most prominent players to emerge from the program. Additionally, players like All-American Joe Peters, who was later inducted into the CSP Athletic Hall of Fame and played in the Arena Football League (AFL), and Nate Thienes (2012 All-American), demonstrate the program's history of developing NFL and professional football talent.
A New Era: The Search for Concordia St. Paul's Next Head Coach
The most significant news emerging from the program in December 2025 is the announcement of a change in leadership. Following the conclusion of the season, Director of Athletics Regan McAthie announced the departure of Head Coach Shannon Currier. Currier, who served two separate stints with the Golden Bears, including his most recent tenure from 2016-2025, leaves a legacy that spans over a decade of service to the university. His departure marks the end of an era and immediately launches the university into a crucial search process.
The Currier Legacy and The Next Step
Shannon Currier first served as head coach from 2000 to 2003 and then returned in 2016, amassing a total of 14 years leading the program. His tenure was dedicated to building a program focused on spiritual and personal development, alongside athletic competition. The decision to make a coaching change signals a desire by the athletic department to seek a new direction and a fresh strategic vision for the Golden Bears in the NSIC.
The incoming head coach will inherit a program with a solid foundation, including a strong academic culture and a commitment to recruiting. Prior to his departure, Coach Currier announced a large 2025-26 recruiting class featuring 38 new additions, providing the next leader with a significant pool of young talent to develop. The ability of the new coach to integrate this incoming class and maximize the potential of returning stars like Caydon Christensen will be paramount to a successful transition.
What the Future Holds for Golden Bears Football
The search for the 9th Head Football Coach at Concordia-St. Paul will be watched closely across the NSIC and the Division II landscape. The successful candidate will need a proven track record of winning in a highly competitive conference, a strong recruiting network in the Midwest, and a commitment to the student-athlete experience. The challenge is clear: elevate the Golden Bears from the bottom half of the NSIC standings to consistent contention for a playoff spot.
The program has the facilities, including the modern Sea Foam Stadium, and the institutional support to succeed. The focus moving forward will be on establishing a new coaching culture, improving the 0-5 home record, and finding the competitive edge necessary to turn those narrow losses into victories. The future of Concordia St. Paul football is now defined by opportunity, as the university seeks the right leader to usher in a new, winning era.
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