Augustana head football coach takes position at Michigan State

Football players woke up early on Friday, Feb. 19, for morning running, looking forward to the morning being over, only to learn it would be their coach's final time addressing the team.

Brad Salem, Augustana's head football coach since 2003, said goodbye to his players after a workout. He will be taking a job in East Lansing, Mich., where he will coach running backs at Michigan State University.

Salem worked as a graduate assistant for Michigan State from 1994-1996, and coached with current Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonia during those years.

"It was a great chance to go back to the school where I did my graduate assistant role, and working at the Division I level is a dream," Salem said.

While head coach at Augustana, Salem compiled a 31-26 record, including back-to-back 8-4 seasons in 2008 and 2009. This was also going to be the first full year of Salem's tenure in which all players were recruited by his staff.

Filling the void left by Salem is a familiar face for the Vikings, former defensive coordinatorMike Aldrich, who enters his first head coach job. He is excited about the situation he found himself in.

"Many times your first job isn't at a successful program, so it's a great opportunity to walk into a team that has been established," Aldrich said. "And I've been here a long time and know the guys, and I have been recruiting for years."

Aldrich was prepared to enter another season as a defensive coordinator for the Vikings. He finished as a runner-up for the Northern State University head coach job and visited with University of Sioux Falls, though "nothing came to fruition."

"I expected Brad to be coaching here for a long time," Aldrich said, "but as he had often told me, 'things often happen when you aren't looking for them.'"

Those unexpected moments carried over to the team as well, who were all very surprised to hear that Salem would be departing.

"Very unexpected," junior Chris Janisch said. "We went through our workout, and gathered up after expecting the traditional word of confidence from Salem, only to be informed that he would be making a move to Michigan State."

Players were reluctant at first, but many have taken the time necessary to realize Augustana is still in a good position.

"Aldrich definitely deserves a head coach job," said Janisch, who has played linebacker for three seasons on Aldrich's defense. "He's great at what he does and has earned it with his defensive success over the years."

Aldrich sensed that sorrow at Salem's departure, but took a positive outlook on the situation.

"I think it shows you just how much of a relationship Salem built with his players," Aldrich said. "It showed you that even after they stepped off the football field, he and his team remained together."

Sophomore quarterback Josh Hanson, who is expected to compete for next year's starting position, was nervous of how Salem's departure would affect the offensive side of the ball.
"We definitely just lost one of the best offensive minds on our team," Hanson said. "It will be interesting to see what happens, but I think Aldrich is going to be a coach who brings more success to this program."

Janisch also expressed a bit of anxiety at the new changes, but was happy at the timing of the move.

"It's good it happened now rather than during the summer," Janisch said. "We can try some stuff with spring ball, and if it doesn't work, we have time to make the adjustments before the season."

For Aldrich, he is happy that one adjustment he won't have to make with this transition is moving to a new town.

"It's a big move for my career, but it's great that I don't have to move, pack, etc.," Aldrich said.

And in that same house and same town, Aldrich's young family is awaiting the start of a new path.

"My wife is really supportive and excited," Aldrich said. "The kids don't have a clue what's going on, but my daughter knows how to yell 'Go Vikings!' so that's good."

A familiar trait that is sure to stick with Aldrich is his sense of humor and style.

"I always dreamed of being the coach who would bring his dog on the sidelines with me," said Aldrich, laughing. "But I doubt I'll be able to on the field turf."

Aldrich, Augustana's 21st head coach, will take part in a long off-season and spring ball and get ready to step on the field Sept. 4 for his debut, wearing the same wardrobe as last year: arm bands, Augustana apparel and "some form of facial hair I decide I like when the season starts."