Half a century.
That’s how long legendary Head Coach Dwight Lundeen has been Bulldog football coach, beginning this year!
It all started in 1970 when Lundeen was just 23 and he was asked to inaugurate the program, which he did. He was not only the head coach but he coached all the positions and had one assistant who helped with the equipment.
“Neither one of us had any football coaching experience,” Lundeen said. “Looking back, it was a great experience for me because I had to study every position.”
Showing no signs of slowing down, Hall-of-Famer (2009) Lundeen entered 2019 with a record of 359 wins, 159 losses and three ties. He has since added two more wins and one loss to that record. He is third on the list of most wins behind Ron Stolski of Brainerd and Mike Mahlen of Verndale — also HOFers.
“We have never had a winless season, but we didn’t have a winning season until our sixth year when we were 5-4,” said Lundeen.
Lundeen’s teams didn’t surpass a .500 win/loss record until 1983, 13 years after he took the helm at BHS.
“I recall one year when we had just 17 players in grades 7-12,” Lundeen said of the lean years.
“One player had to know all 11 positions on offense and one had to know all 11 positions on defense, so we would always have someone to sub into the game.”
Lundeen’s accolades include three state titles (2005, 2014 and 2015) and eight Prep Bowl appearances. He has a record of 101-34 in the playoffs with two district championships, 22 conference championships and 17 section championships.
Over the years, Lundeen has added valuable talent along the sidelines in coaches who have lasted with him through the years. After coaching one of his sons as a running back in high school, Dwight recruited Mike Lundeen to his coaching staff several years out of high school and he has been by his father’s side ever since.
“I would have to say that my favorite coaching experience was the years when I coached my sons. Matt was QB and Mike was a running back. Many great memories.”
Lundeen also has a daughter, Kristen.
In 2014, Lundeen was named coach of the year by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association and in 2015, Dwight was selected the “Man of the Year” by the same organization (MFCA). Dwight, a 1965 graduate of Cokato High School, was Becker’s activities director for 34 years. During his leadership, Becker grew from a school that offered seven activities to 35.
Lundeen says he has coached and mentored over 3,700 student/athletes in his 50-year tenure and his proudest accomplishments have been when he crosses paths with one of his former players and sees their promise.
“So many are great husbands and fathers who are also active in their community and church,” he said. “And they love to talk about their playing days at Becker. Our program is built on a culture of family, truly caring for one another. Through hard work and a passion for the game, players learn life lessons that our coaches model.”
Lundeen has never missed a practice or a game in his 50 years as coach. Recently he had two surgeries — one on his hip and one to his knee — but the pain nor the limited mobility can keep this young-spirited 72-year-old man away from the game he loves.
“I feel very blessed to have been healthy enough to have never missed a game or a practice. When I think about my purpose I feel that the Lord is still using me in this position to impact young athletes in a positive manner.”
Fifty years is a lifetime for some and Lundeen has very fond memories of his football program, especially some of the teams, coaches and players on the other sidelines he’s become foes, allies and friends with.
“Games with Big Lake and Monticello probably create the most public interest but we’ve had many great games with schools like Pierz, Glencoe-Silver Lake and Delano with their strong football traditions. We have played many schools from Southland to Roseau and many places in between.”
Lundeen says it is always fun to match up with someone new.
“Some of the most unique have been Minnetonka HS and Rockhurst out of Kansas City.
In addition to serving with the MFCA, Lundeen has held roles with the MSHSL, including Board of Directors president in 1998-99. He also is the longtime site supervisor for the Class A golf tournament at Pebble Creek.
Lundeen’s legacy? He hasn’t indicated in any way he plans to step down from coaching any time soon. Only time will tell where this icon’s place in history will be cemented.
“I truly hope that players, coaches, Becker schools and the Becker community feel that I have represented them in an honorable way,” said Lundeen. “I hope they remember me as one who had a love and respect for the game but more importantly, a love and respect for each one who was part of Becker football.”
Not only has Dwight been a coach for 50 years, but he’s been a loving husband to his wife, Pam for those same amount of years.
“One thing I would not change was marrying my wife 50 years ago,” he said. “Great move. She has been my #1 fan and supporter.”
“Becker has been a wonderful place to coach, live and raise my family. I have had great support and encouragement from so many in the school and community,” he says. “The Lord has blessed me with an wonderful wife, three amazing children and their spouses, and seven very special grandchildren. They make my life an incredible place to be each day.”
