SCHEPER JOINS MINOT STATE BEAVERS
The Minot State football program has made three additions to their coaching staff. Head Coach Mike Aldrich has announced the hiring of former MSU quarterback Zac Cunha and former Southwest Minnesota State linebacker Alex Ney as positional coaches.
The Beavers’ most notable hiring, though, was the appointing of new Defensive Coordinator Mike Scheper. Heading into his 18th season coaching, Scheper most recently spent a significant portion of the last decade in the Canadian Football League. There, he worked directly with each of the three phases (Offense, Defense, and Special Teams) that spanned three different teams (Saskatchewan twice, Winnipeg, and Edmonton). He was a part of programs that appeared in three Grey Cup Title Games while winning a Championship with the 2015 Edmonton Eskimos.
Scheper also possesses noteworthy experience in the United States at various levels including the NCAA (Fresno State & Portland State), California Junior College (Glendale & Canyons), and high school (St. Francis). He has helped affect his players’ production at a consistently high-level teaching both sides of the line of scrimmage (O-Line & D-Line) predominantly throughout his career. He has worked with numerous players that have enjoyed success garnering awards while also earning opportunities to advance their playing careers in the National Football League.
Scheper is originally from the Greater Los Angeles area in Southern California. He played college football at Utah State University and earned a full athletic scholarship as a former 300 lb. center on the offensive line after beginning as a walk-on. Personally, Mike is married to his lovely and captivating wife Manoah, and they have two wonderfully beautiful children named Elia (13) and Bobby (5).
Scheper has voiced his excitement and anticipation regarding his new role on the Beaver gridiron. He released this statement to MSU Athletics shortly after being hired:
“I want to begin this exciting new stage of my coaching journey by giving full acknowledgement, honor, and praise to Jesus Christ who is my personal Lord and Savior. I also want to give glory and thanks to God for opening this door for me that no person could shut.
I am elated to come and be a part of the culture Andy Carter is promoting within the Athletic Department and specifically thrilled about the opportunity to join this football program and work directly under Mike Aldrich’s leadership. I owe a tremendous amount of thanks and gratitude to Mike for taking a chance on me with this important role on his staff.
It was overwhelmingly apparent during the interview process that there is a very sound infrastructure in place here with a clear set of guiding principles that drive the day to day family environment. This is quite simply a “no-brainer” for me at this stage of my career and development. Minot State football is right on the cusp of enjoying immense success, and I look forward to helping the program leave a legacy of significance as we begin this new decade together.”
Coach Aldrich shared similar feelings concerning Scheper’s potential on the Minot State staff:
“It was important to me to be able to bring in the right person, but also to be able to provide the best possible coaching and leadership for our student-athletes.
Mike brings a wealth of professional coaching experience from his time in the CFL (Canadian Football League) and I think our team and our defense will really benefit from his experience and the level of his expertise. More importantly, after getting to know Mike and his family, we knew he was the right fit for Minot State football.”
Scheper’s coaching history is extensive and impressive. His career stops are listed below.
2020 Minot State University Defensive Coordinator
2016-2019 Saskatchewan Roughriders OL/DL Coach, STs Assistant
2015 Edmonton Eskimos Offensive Line Coach
2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Defensive Line Coach
2012-2013 Portland State University Defensive Ends Coach
2011 College of the Canyons Cornerbacks Coach
2009-2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders Defensive Line Coach
2008 Fresno State University Graduate Assistant – OL
2006-2007 Glendale College Assistant Offensive Line Coach
2003-2005 St. Francis High School Offensive Line Coach
