Steve Stanard

Biography

Steve Stanard joined the University of Minnesota as a Rush Ends Coach in February 2026. Stanard has nearly 40 years of coaching experience on his resume and has also served as a head coach and defensive coordinator. He spent the previous six seasons coaching linebackers at Kansas State. At Kansas State, he coached 10 linebackers who were received All-Big 12 honors with at least one honoree in every season on staff. In 2025, he mentored Austin Romaine who was named to the All-Big 12 Football Second Team for the second straight year after finishing second on Kansas State in tackles (66) and tackles for loss (seven). He also had half of a sack, broke up two passes, made one interception and recovered one fumble. The 2024 season saw Romaine lead Kansas State with 96 tackles, the most by a Wildcat since 2017, as he was named All-Big 12 Second Team. With Romaine leading the way, Kansas State finished in the top 30 nationally in three defensive categories as they ranked fourth in fourth down defense at 32.1%, 25th in sacks per game at 2.69 and 28th in rushing yards allowed per game at 118.7. Kansas State’s rushing defense did not allow a 200-yard rushing game for the first time since 2016 and the Wildcats were one of only two Big 12 teams to lay that claim in 2024. Three of Stanard’s linebackers earned All-Big 12 honors in 2023, led by second-team honoree Austin Moore. He led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 63 tackles. Desmond Purnell earned All-B