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“We had some close losses, but also some exciting wins. I felt it was best to go out on a fun year and this was the right time to do it,” Larson said.

Before taking over the Piper program in 2000, Larson coached for 14 seasons at North Dakota State
University, where he served as the defensive line coach.

The Bison tallied a 128-36-1 record during his time there and gained five North Central Conference titles, nine playoff births and two national championships (1988 and 1990).

“North Dakota State was a phenomenal experience,” Larson said, “We had everything in place there to win.”

Prior to his collegiate coaching days, Larson coached 18 seasons of high-school football in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

He was a sophomore coach at Wausau (Wis.) East High School for one season before taking head coaching positions at Brooten (1970-73), Sauk Centre (1974-75), Hibbing (1976-77), Blaine (1978-83), and Albert Lea (1984-86).

Larson was also a four-year letterman in both football and track at Hamline during his undergraduate years, where he graduated in 1969 with a degree in physical education.

He was a starting running back on the Pipers’ 8-1 MIAC championship team in 1966. He was also captain, team MVP and Jerry Smith Memorial Award winner in 1968 as Hamline finished 8-1 in conference play again.

On playing for Hamline, Larson said, “It was the most fabulous experience of my life to play here. We had some of the best teams in school history.”

During his stay as coach on the Piper gridiron, Larson’s greatest memories of heading this program were of the athletes he instructed.

“You always take with you the relationships you develop, and the players I’ve had the last four years will be my lifelong friends,” he said.

As far as the future of the program is concerned, Larson feels the Pipers have a bright future ahead of them.

“We are maybe one year away from having 100 or more players on our roster, and that’s enough to win.
Football is a numbers game, and we’ve done a great job on doubling our roster since I’ve been here.”

He added, “I think the future of Hamline football is great, and a leadership change can bring us to the next level now. We have been given the resources, such as the first full-time strength and conditioning coach in the MIAC, and we also now have the best football facility in maybe all of Division III America.”

Larson feels that things are in place for Hamline to soon be back in contention for a conference title.

Additionally, he praised the efforts and work of Dan O’Brien, Hamline’s athletic director.

“O’Brien has been a fantastic leader for our athletic program. I think that under his leadership not only football, but all our athletic programs are improving and becoming more competitive,” Larson said.

He added, “We also have a very cohesive coaching staff in the athletic department, and that is of great credit to Dan.”

Though winning was a goal under his leadership, Larson said he focused most on his players, helping them develop as individuals.

“I believe in providing a quality experience for the kids. Helping them grow means more to me than wins and losses.”

And, above all else, he said, the balance of education and football is key.

“Your education provides you with the means to make a living, but football helps you learn how to live and be a citizen.”

Reflecting upon his coaching career, Larson said, “I was able to make my passion into my career, and I hope other people at Hamline are able to do that as well.

“Being able to come back here after playing here, and then being able to coach here, is something I never thought would happen.”

Now that he has stepped away from the field, Larson hopes to focus on “being a full-time grandpa and a full-time husband.”

With his departure, Larson has left with his players a phrase he gave to all his past graduating seniors, and one he holds dear to himself.

“Once a Piper, always a Piper.”