Lets Meet Coach Mac

Head Coach
Dennis McCulloch begins his 19th year at Valley City State and his 16th as the head football coach. 
The Vikings finished last year’s campaign 9-2, and qualified for the NAIA Football Championship Series. After posting 9 straight victories, the Vikings finished the regular season ranked #12 in the country. Coach McCulloch also added another DAC championship to his tenure finishing 6-0 in Conference. Along the way the Vikings earned 15 DAC and Association of Independent Institutions (AII) Player of the Week awards including eight for offense, six for defense, and one for special teams. The team also led the DAC with eight all conference awards including most valuable player (LeTheo Proctor), most valuable senior (Jordan Maher), and coach of the year. Proctor and Maher were also named the top offensive and defensive players respectively of the AII as 2 of the 8 Vikings named to the All-Conference team, while McCulloch added another Coach of the Year honor from the Conference in 2011. The two wins over Jamestown College broke a five-game losing streak to the Jimmies dating back to 2007, also marked the return of the ‘Paint Bucket’ travelling trophy. 
The 2005 Vikings captured the Dakota Athletic Conference crown by posting a 6-1 record, sharing the title with Dickinson State. McCulloch earned DAC Coach of the Year honors in 2005.

McCulloch's 2000 and 2001 Vikings completed impressive 9-2 seasons, capturing a share of the 2000 DAC-10 championship and making the NAIA National Playoffs in both seasons. As a result of his efforts, McCulloch was named the DAC-10 Coach of the Year in 2000.

Prior to becoming the head coach, McCulloch compiled a 9-1 regular season record and a NDCAC championship in his third season as the defensive coordinator with the Vikings in 1996.

A native of Milbank, SD, McCulloch received his Bachelor's Degree from Northern State and went on to receive his Master of ScienceDegree from NSU in 1989. In McCulloch's time at Northern State he developed a diverse background of experience while coaching linebackers, defensive line, defensive backs and working as the recruiting coordinator.

In 1993, McCulloch became the head football coach at Frazee (MN) High School and before coming to VCSU as the defensive coordinator in 1994. McCulloch's 1996 defense finished the season ranked #2 in NAIA scoring defense, captured a conference championship and qualified for the NAIA Playoffs.

McCulloch became the 22nd head football coach in Valley City State history in December of 1996. The Vikings have amassed a 85-67 record in McCulloch's sixteen seasons at the helm. 

In his tenure, 11 Vikings have earned NAIA All-American honors while 21 players have been named NAIA All-American Scholar-Athletes. McCulloch enters the 2007 season second on the all-time victory list behind only VCSU Hall-of-Fame coach Jim Dew's 116 career victories.

Dennis and his wife Lisa, have 3 children, Ryan a VCSU and NDSU alum, Meghan a VCSU Senior, and Alexa. 

Viking Football Senior Spotlight - #14 Tommy Zinke

Name: Tommy Zinke
Position:QB
Hometown/High School: Rolla, ND/ North Praire Football/ Rolla HS
High School Head Coach: Davy Zinke
Major: Music Education
Parents: Davy & Sheila Zinke

Why did you choose VCSU?
I chose to come to VCSU because of opportunity in the music department and an opportunity to play football for a great school. Also, another reason was the affordability of a quality education and size of campus.

Do you have a favorite class or professor?
Dr. Christopher Redfearn is my favorite professor. He is the new choir director at the music department. He brings in humor to class as well as a hard working demeanor that drives his students to succeed.

What is Coach Mac like?
Coach Mac is a great coach that possesses great leadership qualities. He is one of the main reasons I came here along with the rest of the coaching staff. Coach Mac is always willing to talk to you one on one and help you with any problems that you may have on campus or in life. He cares about VCSU, the football program, and his players.

Do you have a career highlight? 
My favorite memory of my career was my junior year playing at Dickinson State University. We were down and I threw a touchdown to win the game with 0.2 seconds left on the clock. That was the most exciting game I have ever been apart of.

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to teach K-12 music in North Dakota somewhere and also coach football.

Coach Horner receives 2012 NAIA assistant coach of year

Coach Horner was honored at the AstroTurf President's Kickoff Luncheon, Monday, January 7 at the 2013 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The Award was presented to Coach Horner by Mac Brown, head football coach at the University of Texas. Coach Brown noted in his speech about how impressed he was with everything that Coach Horner does. 

Each year, staff representatives from NCAA and NAIA football-playing schools are asked to nominate an assistant for consideration. From those nominations, a winner is selected by the AFCA Public Relations Committee. The winners of this award were selected from Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and the NAIA.

The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement. 

The 2012 honorees are as follows: 

Football Bowl Subdivision – Kirby Smart, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach, University of Alabama

Football Championship Subdivision–John Revere, Runningbacks Coach, Eastern Kentucky University

Division II–A.J. Blazek, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line/Tight Ends Coach, Winona State University

Division III–Joe Early, Offensive Coordinator, Middlebury College

NAIA–Gregg Horner, Defensive Coordinator, Valley City State University.

Viking Football Senior Spotlight - #21 Troy Still

Name: Troy Still
Hometown/High School: Camden NJ/Camden Academy Charter High 
High School Head Coach: Mike McBride
Major: University Studies Concentration Human Service 
Parents: Denise & Everlon Still

Why did you choose VCSU?
Because I felt like VCSU was the right fit for me .I also knew that this would be a place that I could focus on my studies with not to many distractions around me.

Do you have a favorite class or professor?
One of my favorite classes was group dynamics with Rob Walsh. I took a lot of concepts from that class that I could apply to everyday life. The group dynamic classes really made me think outside of the box and I am glad I took the class. 

What is Coach Mac like?

The one thing about Coach Mac is he is different with everybody .He try to meet and understand the needs of everyone. As far as me coach mac always demanded the best of me. Even when I would make a great play on the football field he would find a way to coach me up. I told coach Mac I wanted to be the best when I arrived on campus and he has done nothing but try to push me in that direction. As a player what more could you ask for from a coach.

Do you have a career highlight? 
My career highlight was the last game of my senior season. We came back to win a game that a lot of people counted us out by halftime. I would say we truly played as a team that game. I will always remember that game.

What are your plans after graduation?
To become a youth counselor and work with youth ages 14-18. I also plan to do a little football coaching as well 

What does Viking Pride mean to you?
Taking pride in what you do weather you are on the football or not just taking that extra initiative to better yourself as a person in life

Comments from Coach McCulloch
'Troy transferred from Northland CC where he had played multiple positions on defense. He put the work in at the corner position for us and developed into a quality player. Troy did a good job of balancing family, school and football. Very proud that Troy will be graduating soon.'

The Player Spotlight on Lex Tande

Name: Lex Tande
Hometown/High School: Powers lake, ND
High School Head Coach: Lynn Enget
Major: Fisheries and Wildlife Science
Parents: Gary and Lori Tande

What is your favorite book? Iron Marshal

Tell us something that most people would not know about you. I have a twin brother.

Most influential person in your life and why? My father because the way he handles life.

Favorite Sports Team? Green Bay Packers

Dream Vacation? Travel around the world.

The Player Spotlight on Thomas Cortez

Name: Thomas M. Cortez
Hometown/High School: Kihei, Hawaii/ St. Anthony Jr. Sr. High School
High School Head Coach: Coach Charlie Pico
Major: Psychology/ Spanish
Parents: Rosa Hernandez & Jose Cortez

What is your favorite book? The Outsiders

What is your favorite Movie? Horrible Bosses 

Tell us something that most people would not know about you. I am Ambidextrous with my hands and two feet.

Most influential person in your life and why? My mother is my most influential person in my life, always telling me to be the best that I can be at what I do in life and to never give up on the dreams/goals I set. She has always been there for me with care and supportive actions.

Dream Vacation? Go on a cruise to Fiji or Tahiti 

Signing Day Central Continued

The following high school student-athletes have also signed a Letter of Intent to play football at Valley City next fall.

Casey Kraska LB (6'3 - 220)

Stephen/Argyle Central Schools, Stephen MN.

Honors: Team Captain

Awards: All-Conference

Tayler Lentz LB (6'2 - 180)

Valley City HS, Valley City, ND

Last Season's stats:

17 catches, 217 yards, 4 TD

52.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 defensive TD

Honors: Class AA Football 1st Team Offense All-State, East Region 1st Team, NDHSCA-Shrine Football, Alternate-Badlands Bowl

Awards: MVP-Defensive Back/Linebacker, MVP-Offensive Line, Hi-Liner of the Year Award, VCHS Training Award

PJ Peterson TE (6'4 - 220)

Larimore HS, Larimore ND.

Last Season's stats:

1470 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs, 350 passing yards, 3 passing TDs

75 total tackles, 9.5 sacks

Honors: 4 time All-Region Player and 3 time All-State Player

Awards: 2012 Region 2 Player of the Year

Signing Day Central

The Vikings are excited to announce the following student-athletes have decided to continue their football playing career in a VCSU uniform. 

Coach Dennis McCulloch is pleased to announce the addition of the following transfer student-athletes who joined the team at the beginning of the semester and are already enrolled at VCSU. "I am very pleased with the hard work these young men have displayed in the weight room and during team workouts. They have all proven to be a great addition to our football family and community." 

Cameron Avery QB (6'0 - 205) 
Wingate University/Fike HS, Wilson NC.

Cedric Chappell WR (6'2 - 202)
North Dakota State School of Science/Minneapolis Washburn HS, Minneapolis MN.

Zach McBeain LB (6'1 - 240)
Dakota College at Bottineau/Shakopee HS, Shakopee MN. 

Eric Philson OL (6'1 - 315)
American River College/Arlington HS, Riverside CA.

Gustavo Ramirez OL (6'3 - 297) 
West Valley College/Sobrato HS, Morgan Hill CA.

Steven Wright DB (5'10 - 175)
West Texas A&M/North Pole HS, Fairbanks AK

Viking Football Online Auction

For Immediate Release

12^th Man Club – Online Auction

February 4^th 2013/online

Do you want a chance to win your favorite players jersey? Would you be interested in a trip to Northwest Minnesota for a muzzleloader hunt? Do you want to treat your family to a fresh Alaskan salmon dinner?

The 12th Man Club Board Members are holding an Online Auction to raise funds for Viking Football. The online auction will be open for bids at 8 am on Monday, Feb 4th thru noon Friday, Feb 22nd

This is a great way to help support Viking Football by raising scholarship money. You have the opportunity to purchase some awesome items donated by our football alumni and friends of Viking Football. Without their support this auction would not be possible. I hope the competitive juices will start flowing and make sure you out bid your friends for the item(s) you want! Remember this is a FUNDRAISER and we are hoping that you will over bid on all items.

The online auction can be found by selecting the link below.

http://alumni.vcsu.edu/givingopp/vp.htm?p=213

Dennis McCulloch

Head Football Coach

Valley City State University Football

Office: 701-845-7425

Fax: 701-845-7153

101 College Street SW

Valley City, ND 58072

Dennis.mcculloch@vcsu.edu

###

Carlton Fearon

Valley City State Football Player

carltonfearon@vcsu.edu  

NEW VIKING COMMITS!

Football adds two more to the list of commits for next fall

Coach Dennis McCulloch announced the addition of another two high school student-athletes that have committed to wearing the VCSU uniform next fall. 


Benjamin Bruenjes LB (6'0 - 185)

West Fargo HS, Fargo ND.


Last Season's Record: 7-4

Team Achievements: West Fargo made it to the semi-finals

Last Season's stats: 65 tackles




AJ Potter LB (6'1 - 205)

Monticello HS, Monticello MN. 


Last Season's stats: 51 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble

Honors: All Conference for OG and LB

Awards: Conference Championship