St. John's coaching legend Jerry Haugen ends run with football program

COLLEGEVILLE — The St. John's football program is entering the 2024 season without one of its longtime coaches.

Defensive coordinator Jerry Haugen announced Thursday he was retiring after 48 seasons with the team. Haugen has also managed the SJU baseball team for 47 years and had previous roles on the hockey and basketball teams.

He plans to continue with the baseball program, according to a release from the school.

"The past few seasons, with the landing gear released and a number of former players now coaching, it is a good time to let them take over," Haugen said. "The wheels have now touched down on the football piece. I am looking forward to coaching one sport after a combined 108 seasons."

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Previous co-coordinator Brandon Novak will now have full control of the defense. He has coached since he graduated in 2001, including multiple offensive position roles and defensive play calling.

During his playing years, Novak was twice named a first-team All-American as a linebacker and in 1999 was named the MIAC's most valuable player.

With Haugen, the football Johnnies were 421-99-5 and won the Stagg Bowl in 1976 and 2003. After the most recent title, he was named the Division III Defensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Monthly. The Johnnies allowed a fraction over 14 points per game and they recorded 72 shutouts under Haugen. The stats helped the team to 25 MIAC championships and 29 postseason runs.

Last year, SJU dropped only one game, on the road to Gustavus Adolphus, but was excluded from postseason play.

"There are very few football coaches in the country who have had the kind of impact that Jerry Haugen has had on our program," football coach Gary Fasching said. "He served our program for 48 years as an assistant coach, most of those as our defensive coordinator. Jerry coordinated defenses that were always at the top of the conference and in many cases, were tops in the country."

Fasching called Haugen's defenses disciplined and said the players were fierce tacklers and made big plays. Over nearly five decades Haugen coached a lot of athletes, and the alumni dedication to the program speaks volumes.

"Jerry will go down as one of the most accomplished defensive coordinators in college football history," Fasching said. "Our football program applauds him on 48 years of outstanding coaching."

Contact reporter Reid Glenn at rglenn@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: St. John's coaching legend Jerry Haugen ends run with football program