Grand Forks, ND (SportsNetwork.com) - The University of North Dakota named Southern Illinois defensive coordinator Kyle "Bubba" Schweigert as its new head football coach on Tuesday.
Schweigert, who coached at UND for 15 seasons from 1989-2003, will be formally introduced as the program's 26th head coach at a news conference at the Alerus Center on Friday.
Schweigert, a native of Zeeland, N.D., returns to UND from Southern Illinois, where he has been the Salukis' defensive coordinator for the last six seasons as well as their associate head coach for five years.
During Schweigert's time on staff with UND, he helped lead the team to the 2001 NCAA Division II national title as defensive coordinator. He was part of eight playoff teams and six North Central Conference title squads.
"It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve the University of North Dakota as its head football coach," Schweigert said. "I am looking forward to hiring a staff and building a program that will represent UND in a first-class manner, both on and off the field.
"We will put forth great effort to facilitate positive relations with fans, alumni, the community and the student body," Schweigert added. "We look forward to playing exciting championship football in front of thousands of loyal fans as we strive to win the Big Sky Conference championship and, ultimately, reach the pinnacle of FCS football."
Schweigert replaces Chris Mussman, who was fired last month after finishing his sixth season with a 3-8 record. Mussman had a 31-34 mark at UND.
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