BISMARCK, ND —The University of Mary introduced former NFL player and Baker, MT, native Shann Schillinger as its new head coach at a press conference, Monday, March 27. The Schillinger name is synonymous with football in the Big Sky state and legendary among fans, sports reporters, and coaches. Schillinger, a former star at the University of Montana, coached in both the NCAA Division I Big Ten and Big Sky conferences. And just last year, his home state inducted him into the Montana Football Hall of Fame.
 
Schillinger begins his duties immediately, and becomes only the eighth University of Mary head football coach to don the Marauders orange and blue since the program kicked off in 1988.
 
"I am extremely honored to be the next head coach of the University of Mary Marauders and humbled by the trust bestowed upon me to take on this tremedous responsibility," said Schillinger. "I've always admired and respected this university from afar and now by the grace of God, I am blessed to help impact for the better — along with our football coaches — the lives of young men as part of our athletics-wide efforts to instill 'Greatness through Virtue.' It's safe to say, I was born with football in my blood, a competitive spirit that is second to none, and an exhaustive desire to win. I promise you, we will build winners with strong moral character."
 
After a star-studded career with the University of Montana Grizzlies, NFL fans heard Schillinger's name called on national TV by the Atlanta Falcons in the 6^th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Drafted as the 171st overall pick, Schillinger played four years in the NFL as a safety from 2010 to 2013 with the Falcons and Tennessee Titans. Schillinger's full-time coaching career began after the NFL in 2015 as a special teams and defensive backs assistant for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. He returned to his alma mater in Missoula to coach special teams and safeties from 2016 to 2021 and served as the team's pro scout liaison.
 

Schillinger added, "I've said this before and I'll say it again: there is so much more to football than x's and o's. When I went to college, under coach Bobby Hauck's system, I grew up from a boy to a man. The structure, the accountability of being on time, he instilled that into me. My coaches, the way they coached me, they guided me. And that made me feel like I wanted to coach. I didn't know what I would do when I first retired from the NFL. But when you consider the impact my coaches had on me it's something I could never fully repay, but I always try to give back. This game has given my family so much. Football is something I don't know where my life would be without it. That's the feeling and mindset I want every Marauders football player to experience — in addition to winning."

Winning is a common theme throughout Schillinger's career. Between high school and college Schillinger's teams posted 100 victories and only seven defeats. As team captain, from 2001 to 2004, Schillinger won three state titles during his four years as quarterback and defensive back at Baker High School coached by his uncle Don Schillinger, one of the winningest prep coaches in Montana history. Dubbed "the fastest man from Baker, MT," his accolades made him a highly recruited college prospect before signing on with the Grizzlies as a safety. Schillinger helped lead the Grizzlies to two Football Championship Series (FCS) title games while also earning All-Big Sky Conference honors, and is a two-time winner of the Tony Barbour Award given annually to the "player who best exemplifies outstanding practice habits and makes an unselfish contribution to the betterment of the Grizzly football team." He ranks among the best in Montana history with 257 career takedowns and 11 career interceptions.

"Growing up in a family steeped in tradition, Shann eats, sleeps, and breathes football with an unparalleled passion," remarked Monsignor James Shea, who in 2009 became University of Mary's president and the youngest at any U.S. college or university at that time. "I know from spending time with Shann, his objective is to win with the purpose of forming young men of greatness. I know what it is like to take on a big role without much experience, but if you understand the mission and vision and are committed to it, great things will happen. Shann will do great things and help the Marauders football team achieve our objective of winning championships."

The Marauders head coaching position became available in February when former head coach Craig Bagnell took a coaching position at an NCAA Division I school. At that time, the University of Mary instantly received interest from coaching candidates across the country, and had nearly 100 coaching applicants.
 
Although not yet on-campus as the University of Mary's new executive director of intercollegiate athletics, Cooper Jones is excited about the prospect of Schillinger taking the reins of the UMary football program.
 
"Shann elevated himself from a talented and deep candidate pool to be our choice as the Marauders next Head Football Coach," said Jones. "His experiences coaching in the Big Ten, SEC, and Big Sky conferences were incredibly appealing to the search committee, and Shann's deep ties to the region made us feel that he could help us in our quest to win championships and bring 'Greatness through Virtue' to the football program at UMary."

Schillinger's references and close mentors are vast and wide, including former Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher and his fishing buddy University of Montana Head Coach Bobby Hauck. Fisher has 22 years of NFL head coaching experience, 17 with the Titans, and like Schillinger, played in the NFL as a defensive back.  

"I am so excited for Shann and congrats to the University of Mary," exclaimed Fisher over the phone. "I've followed him through his experiences, including time in the NFL with the Falcons.  He's going to do a lot of good stuff, and he'll do it right. You've got a new fan. It's so cool — good people find good people. You've got a good man! Shann is approachable, compassionate, and a great listener, not to mention a great husband and father.  He'll be a great inspiration and role model to the student athletes. He's got that quality knowing how important it is to reach out to people who have done it before. Shann has people around him that want to see him be successful, and I expect to be at the top of his list. The Marauders are off and running — this will be fun."

Hauck is another one of Schillinger's biggest fans on and off the field.
 
"What an excellent hire by the University of Mary. I've known Coach Schillinger since I recruited him as a junior in high school, coaching him through his college career and now working closely with him as a professional. He is knowledgeable, a great competitor, and outstanding family man. An all-around good person. I'm excited to watch the trajectory of the football program and the great things that Shann and his staff will do at Mary."
 
Schillinger and his wife Ericka, a Beach, ND, native, have three daughters Lenex (9), Malloy (7), and Indie (4). Schillinger's brother, Jace, a former All-American running back at Dickinson State, holds 12 school records.
Schillinger begins his duties just in time to lead the Marauders during Spring Ball workouts that started last week. 

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