FRISCO, Texas (STATS) – Part of the group handed the baton to senior leadership after last year’s FCS championship game, North Dakota State wide receiver Darrius Shepherd relinquished it Saturday after the Bison’s 38-24 title game win over Eastern Washington.
It was part of an emotional scene in the locker room afterward.
“I think for the younger guys, just keep attacking. They know what they have to do next year in order to be great,” Shepherd said.
But the senior voted Most Outstanding Player said it best for the Bison when he pointed out “next man up” isn’t just for players. Defensive coordinator Matt Entz is taking over for Kansas State-bound Chris Klieman as North Dakota State’s new head coach.
The 46-year-old Entz will guide a program that has won back-to-back FCS titles and a record seven in the last eight seasons.
“Being under Coach Entz, he’s had so much passion for the players and he’s so special,” senior linebacker Levi Jordheim said. “He was named head coach because Mr. (Matt) Larsen (NDSU’s athletic director) saw what he can do, what he is capable of and what he is – he’s dead set on doing it. He’s going to keep this thing rolling.”
Entz, a first-time head coach, was considered the popular choice to succeed Klieman. He was named FootballScoop’s 2018 FCS Coordinator of the Year.
The Bison culture isn’t going to change, predicted Klieman, who added he plans to talk regularly with his good friend even when he’s off to Manhattan, Kansas.
“He understands what it takes and he’s been a great role model and coach for our program,” senior quarterback Easton Stick said. “And there’s no doubt he’s going to continue to do it the right way and he’ll surround himself with good people and he’s got a good locker room. It will be exciting to watch those guys.”
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