Long-time Bronco football coach retires after 34 seasons at FHS
Career-ending injuries are usually associated with players.
In this case, it’s a legendary head coach.
Stuart Nordquist, the Hall of Fame high school football coach at Falls High School, confirmed his retirement Monday after 34 seasons. Nordquist injured his back last season in the weight room at the high school and his body has failed to cooperate with numerous treatments. Most recently, he had three cortisone shots on July 23.
“Am I getting better? Yes. Am I getting better fast enough? No,” the 65-year-old said.
Nordquist, eighth on the all-time wins list in Minnesota with 275 victories, entered the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in October. He was enshrined in the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001.
“And I would’ve been coaching this year, too, if things would’ve worked out differently,” said Nordquist, who spent seven years coaching at Adams High School (now Southland) before spending 34 seasons holding a clipboard with the Broncos.
Nordquist also served as an athletic director, boys basketball coach, boys and girls track coach, weight room supervisor, drug and alcohol coordinator and the dean of students at FHS during his career.
FHS assistant superintendent Kevin Grover and athletic/activities director Don Rolando were both surprised by the resignation, which came just two weeks before practices are scheduled to begin Aug. 17. Grover opened the position immediately and will take applications until Aug. 11.
“We’ll get it filled as quick as we can,” Grover said.
Rolando, who played for Nordquist for two years before graduating from FHS in 1984, got a call from the long-time coach Sunday confirming his decision.
“I’m very sad to see Nordquist go,” Rolando said. “Obviously, we wanted him to be our football coach. Very difficult to replace.”
Nordquist replaced another legendary coach, Frank Larson, in 1974, and won only six games his first two seasons. Since then, he’s 225-105 (.682) with 10 conference championships, eight Section 7 championships and six runner-up finishes in the section. His best finish at state in eight tries was third place in 1993. His teams also had only six losing seasons since 1975.
“It’s a tough call to leave the program. It’s not a tough call because of my condition,” Nordquist said, noting he’s done everything he could to get back on the field.
“Oh yes,” he said. “Still love the game. Still love working with kids. But in football you’ve got to be able to coach your group, and I know I would not be able to carry that out. I’m very familiar with what two-a-days entail.”
The program is left with four assistant coaches — Jay Boyle, Tony Casareto, Nick Schoenecker and Roger Jerome. Boyle and Casareto played under Nordquist, while Jerome befriended the coach 25 years ago.
“Football is very grueling on coaches, too, and if you’re not in good shape, it’s impossible,” said Jerome.
Nordquist didn’t rule out coaching again — he also retired from coaching in 2000 before returning in 2002 — but his focus is primarily on his injured back and school board duties, which he vows will not be affected by the injury.
“We don’t have to run from place to place there,” Nordquist said.
The Broncos’ first game is scheduled for Sept. 11 at home against Virginia. There is also a scrimmage scheduled Aug. 29 in Nashwauk.
“If I was healthy, I wouldn’t resign,” Nordquist said. “If I thought I could do the job, I wouldn’t resign.”
