Mines is keeping its football dynasty within the family.
The Orediggers announced Wednesday that interim football coach Pete Sterbick has been given the job on a permanent basis. Sterbick had served in the position on an interim basis since former coach Brandon Moore resigned last month to take the same position at the University of San Diego.
“This is a very unique and special place,” Sterbick, who had been Mines’ offensive coordinator since 2019, said via a university news release. “The tradition here started well before I arrived in 2019 as offensive coordinator, and we’ve been fortunate enough to take our program to an elite level.”
Sterbick takes over a program coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history. The Diggers won a 15th RMAC title (9-0 in conference play), posted a 13-3 record overall and reached the NCAA Division II national title game for the first time.
This will be Sterbick’s second stint as a head coach. He posted a 9-11 mark with NAIA McPherson (Kan.) College from 2012-13. The Augustana and Washington State alum was named FootballScoop’s Division II Coordinator of the Year last fall after overseeing a Mines offense that led D-II in scoring (44.6 points per game) and tutoring quarterback John Matocha, the ’22 Harlon Hill winner who also is slated to return this fall.
“We aim to stay on a championship track and are hungry for more,” Sterbick said via the university release. “Our players are and will always be priority No. 1, and I am grateful to be their coach.”
With Sterbick taking the head job on a permanent basis, Mines also announced that Tim Brandon has been promoted from offensive line coach and run game coordinator to offensive coordinator. Brandon is the son of longtime former Mines coach Gregg Brandon, who led the Orediggers to four RMAC titles and four playoff berths from 2015-2021.
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