Named the 22nd head coach of the Beaver football program in January of 2023, Ian Shields brings more than 20 years of coaching experience with him to the sidelines at Minot State.
Coach Shields believes in a commitment to community engagement, social awareness, and diversity. He works as a culture builder and transformational coach that will positively impact players' lives. He boasts a proven track record of elite evaluation and player development, and he has led teams to 4 national rushing championships (twice in the FBS, twice in the NCAA D-II) and his programs have been in the Top 10 nationally rushing in 20 of his 29 years coaching.
Also driven to give back to the community, during the 2024-25 academic year, Coach Shields and the Beaver football program kicked off participation in the national
"Get in the Game" program to register potential bone marrow and blood stem cell donors. The Beavers dedication to making a lasting impact within the greater campus community led to a tremendous initial result of 253 registrations during the first year.
On the gridiron during the 2024 season, Coach Shields and the Beavers made history as the team started the season with a 3-0 record, provided the school its first Homecoming victory since 1992, and recorded the best season in Minot State's NCAA history finishing with a 5-6 overall record.
Along the way, Shields' Beavers set set single-season all-time records for rushing yards with 2,886, for rushing touchdowns with 30, and for rushing yards per game averaging 244.9 ypg. The Beavers also set single-game all-time records for carries in a game with 69 in a 26-22 win over Sioux Falls, 416 yards in a 38-7 win over Valley City State, 7 rushing touchdowns in a 56-23 win over Winona State, and 4 defensive touchdowns in a 42-9 win over Southwest Minnesota State.
Individual, defensive back Nalu Cordeiro earned National Player of the Week honors after a single-game record 2 interception returns for touchdowns against Southwest Minnesota State, including a record 92-yard return, while quarterback Carson Chrisman set an NCAA-era single-season record with 15 rushing touchdowns and a single-game record with 4 rushing touchdowns against Valley City State.
The successful season also garnered Minot State players a variety of honors as senior center Jake Swirple was invited to the Podyum All-Star Bowl and also selected by the Alabama Beavers professional football team of the International Football Alliance (IFA). Junior running back Evan Lovett was a semifinalist for the Harlon Hill award as NCAA Division II's top player, along with being named 1st Team All-NSIC, and sophomore offensive lineman Aidan Shumate, and sophomore defensive backs Kevin Speed and Myzel Williams joined Lovett in earn 1st Team All-NSIC honors. Senior linebacker Carson Cayko was named 2nd Team All-NSIC.
Academically, offensive linemen Max Bray, Emmett Espino, and DJ Schneibel, along with wide receiver Erik Palmquist, each were named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, and Espino, Palmquist, Bray, Schneibel, Conner Raetzman, Josh Will, Cody Grossinger, Jonathan Noriega, and Tyler Stonebraker all were named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.
In his first season leading the Beaver football program, Minot State put three players on the ALL-NSIC Team in defensive backs Isaiah Bigby and Knylen Miller-Levi, and linebacker Carson Cayko.
Along with those All-NSIC honors, Bigby was named a semifinals for the Cliff Harris Award presented to the top defensive player in all of NCAA Division II football, and Miller-Levi was invited to play in the Trillion Tropical Bowl all-star game showcasing college football seniors for NFL scouts and GMs.
Shields's first Beaver team also saw 6 players named to the CSC Academic All-District Team, 7 players inducted into the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, and 13 players named to the NSIC All-Academic Team. Minot State's football team also won two of the most coveted BESPY team awards for the 2023-24 academic year as they were crowned the year's Community Service Award winners and the Beaver Cup winners.
Most recently an assistant, analyst, and top advisor to the head coach at UNLV for the last three seasons, Shields spent four years as the head coach at NCAA Division I FCS program Jacksonville University in Florida, two years as the head coach at NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne in North Carolina, and two seasons as head coach at NAIA Eastern Oregon University.
At UNLV, Coach Shields duties included running back and linebacker responsibilities, and he assisted in bring in two top-ranked recruiting classes in Mountain West Conference, the highest-ranked recruiting classes in UNLV history.
While at Jacksonville. Shields's teams logged over 400 community service hours each year, recorded the program's 4 highest yearly GPAs as more Dolphin players were recognized on the President's List, Dean's List, and PFL Academic Honor roll than at any other point in program history, and the team's spread-option offense was Top 5 in the nation in rushing for 2017, 18, and 19.
The Dolphins also set school records for:
- Rushing yards in a season, rushing touchdowns in a season, yards per carry in a season, most plays run, most 100-yard rushers in one game, time of possession, yards per game in one game, and rushing attempts.
- Quarterback Calvin Turner Jr. finished the 2019 season 4th in FCS football in rushing yards (1,355) and 10th in rushing TD's (15). Calvin finished the 18' season ranked 3rd in all FCS football in total TD's (17), 2nd in scoring (11.0), 3rd in rushing yards per game (143.1), 11th in yards per carry (6.9), and 4th in rushing yards (1,431).
- The 2018 offense set school records for yards rushing in a season (3453 yards/10 games), rushing touchdowns (36), yards per carry (6.16), had three 100-yard rushers in one game. Prolific offense in 2018 ranked in Top 15 nationally in rushing offense (3rd/345.3 ypg), 9th in 3rd down conversion (.472), 10th in time of possession (33), and 11th in fewest turnovers lost (12).
- OLB Justin Horton signs with Jacksonville Jaguars
Along with eight seasons as a head coach, Shields has served as offensive coordinator at Army, Cal Poly, Bucknell (Pa,), and Saint Mary's (Calif.).
Shields, who played both football and baseball in college for the Oregon State Beavers, began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oregon State.
He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication in 1994 from Oregon State, and his Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Human Performance & Speech Communication in 1997, also from Oregon State.
Coach Shields in joined in Minot by his wife, Norma. The couple have three sons Beau (22), Jonah (20), and Jordan (12).
What They're Saying About Coach Shields:
“Ian Shields is a coach who gave me confidence on the football field. He understood the level of execution needed from players and consistently provided accurate and detailed coaching, he has a great feel of how to develop football players and get them to play to the best of their ability. Thanks to his coaching I was able to accomplish challenges that have helped me adjust to very different football environments in my football career. As a person , Coach Shields instilled me with values of professionalism and family- he’s a tremendous role model and mentor to every player in the locker-room.”
- Former Army Ranger, Bronze Star Medal Recipient & Army West Point left tackle and current Pittsburgh Steeler, 2017 Pro Bowl selection Alejandro Villanueva
"I had the privilege of playing for Coach Shields and his staff my senior year. The 2016 season was one of the best in my four and a half years suiting up for JU, and a great deal of that had to do with Coach Shields. From the moment I met him his concern was establishing the best culture and environment that would help us build a winning football program and developing the players within it on and off the field. After my time at JU was complete, Coach Shields made it a point to help me in my transition to professional football- speaking to scouts, checking in on workouts, and giving advice. This year will be my second as a pro and I still receive calls and texts from Coach Shields asking how everything is going and checking in. It was a blessing to have him as a coach and now as a mentor."
- Former JU, Jacksonville Jaguars & Saskatchewan Roughriders LB/DE Justin Horton
"Coach Shields gave me my first shot to play college ball, he was the one that believed in me and offered me actually. Coming out of high school (McClymonds HS, Oakland, CA) as an undersized inner city kid, he looked past the disadvantage and saw talent and potential in me as a player and as a student. Not only did he advocate for me in the recruiting and admissions process, but he always made sure I was doing well on and off the field since the first day we met. After we parted ways due to a coaching change, we still managed to keep in touch for an ongoing relationship outside of just football. I definitely appreciate Coach Shields for the opportunity, his friendship, and help getting me to the point where I’m at now in my career.”
- Former Saint Mary's & Sacramento State and current Calgary Stampeders defensive back Brandon Smith
"Coach Shields is by far one of the best coaches and men I have ever worked with. He recruited me, took me to campus, and even helped me with my transition to school once I got there. He was always an open resource for me when I was there as well. I trusted him. He made me want to play my best because I didn’t want to let him down; I wanted to prove him right for taking a chance on me. To repay him for the faith and confidence he had in me from day 1 I stepped on campus at Cal Poly. That’s something so important in this sport, and Coach Shields knows how to treat and mentor young men. He knows how to get the best out of you as a player. and that’s not even getting into his on the field knowledge. I’ve never seen anyone run the spread option offense like he did. His halftime adjustments were something to this day (after 6 years in the NFL) I still haven’t found any coach do it better. His knowledge of the game is A1, on both sides of the ball. And most of all he cares. He wants the best for you as a man, and also as a player. You don’t find that with a lot of coaches these days; at least in my experience. I wish I could have played for Coach Shields for longer!! Love you coach!!! I am where I am today because of you believing in me!! And I’ll never forget that!!"
- Former Cal Poly & NFL cornerback and Super Bowl 47 Champion Asa Jackson
“Coach Shields was vital to our success at Cal Poly. His attention to detail, and enthusiasm for ’perfect practice’ elevated the understanding of our collective mission. It was he who became the technical engine for the potency of our #1 ranked offense. As a friend and mentor, Coach Shields is always one for endearing conversation and enthusiasm for personal development. To this day his is one of my favorite sports teachers, and our championship teams owe a great deal to his expertise and character."
- Former Cal Poly & NFL wide receiver and Super Bowl 46 Champion Ramses Barden
Ian Shields Career Coaching Record
| Year |
Team |
Overall |
Conference |
Standing |
Postseason |
Other |
Ranking |
| 2024 |
Minot State |
5-6 |
4-6 |
10th |
|
|
|
| 2023 |
Minot State |
1-10 |
1-9 |
t-10th |
|
|
|
| 2019 |
Jacksonville |
3-9 |
1-7 |
t-9th |
|
|
|
| 2018 |
Jacksonville |
2-8 |
1-7 |
10th |
|
|
|
| 2017 |
Jacksonville |
7-4 |
5-3 |
t-3rd |
|
|
|
| 2016 |
Jacksonville |
5-5 |
4-3 |
4th |
|
|
|
| 2015 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
5-5 |
3-4 |
t-5th |
NCAA D-II 2nd round |
|
8 |
| 2014 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
11-1 |
7-0 |
1st |
|
|
|
| 2007 |
Eastern Oregon |
1-10 |
1-9 |
6th |
|
|
|
| 2006 |
Eastern Oregon |
6-5 |
5-5 |
4th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
46-63 |
32-53 |
|
|
|
|
