CROSBY-Bryan Syrstad will have large shoes to fill this fall.
The new head coach for the Crosby-Ironton Rangers football team will take over for Mike Gindorff, who resigned following last season so he can watch his son Noah play college football this fall at North Dakota State University.
Aside from Gindorff, the rest of the Ranger coaching staff remains, which should create a seamless transition.
"He's a good, young coach," Gindorff said of Syrstad, who was Gindorff's assistant coach for four seasons. "He's hardworking and smart. He loves football.
"I think one signature of a good program is consistency in the coaching staff. If you have a lot of turnover in your coaching staff, I don't think you have a very strong program. So to be able to retain all the coaches not only says something about the program that we've built, but where C-I football is as a whole."
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Where it goes from here will be in Syrstad's hands. The Thompson, N.D., transplant by way of Bemidji State University is a physical education and adapted physical education teacher at C-I.
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Bryan Syrstad
- What: New head football coach at Crosby-Ironton
- Who: 27-year-old Bemidji State University graduate
- Other: Current head baseball coach and junior high boys basketball coach
- Formerly: C-I's defensive coordinator
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In four seasons at C-I, Syrstad has coached varsity football, junior high boys basketball and is the head baseball coach for the Rangers.
"I think it's pretty key that the kids know me and they know what to expect from me," Syrstad said. "I know the program. I know the families and the kids in the youth programs all the way up to the varsity level. I think that's pretty huge to be entrenched in the community and the sports around here."
Don't expect many changes to the philosophy of C-I football. The main question facing Syrstad is whether he'll continue to be the defensive coordinator or hand those responsibilities to one of his assistants. Filling in the coaching vacancy is second-year teacher James Fort, who coached at the junior high level last year.
"First of all, what coach Gindorff has done in the past 15 to 20 years here in Crosby has been awesome," Syrstad said. "Looking back at what he started with to where it is now, you can't say enough about how dedicated he was and what he's done for the program. I just look to continue on the ways that he's taught me over my four years here. He's taught me a lot about football, life. He's just a great guy. He's one of the main ones that has helped me along the way here at C-I."
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Syrstad doesn't feel the need to make the program his own, but there are things he'll tweak. He said he and Gindorff have similar philosophies and stressed the players wouldn't see a huge difference from last year to the coming year.
"Everybody is a little different and there might be a difference in schemes with the offense and defense, but nothing major," said Syrstad. "The coaching staff has been meeting and going over things. Greg Hills and Neil Tesdahl are back and that's pretty key because they've been around the game longer than I've been alive. That's awesome to have them back."
Syrstad said he's more excited than nervous about the upcoming firsts. He's pleased to see the number of athletes in the weight room and working through the summer programs. As for the first game he said to wait and ask him afterward.
"Already being a head coach will help a lot," he said. "Just with gameday preparation and what is expected of you being a head coach."
Syrstad returned to the fact that Friday nights this fall won't be too different for him or the players. Many of the seniors and upcoming players have been around him for four years. If they haven't, they'll get an early introduction with C-I's team camp July 25-27. C-I's season starts a week earlier because it's playing a zero-week game at Two Harbors Aug. 25 to begin the season. C-I will begin practice noon, Aug. 7. That's because Duluth Marshall discontinued its football program after the season schedules were released.
"Building relationship with the kids, the community and the other coaches is huge," said Syrstad. "Whatever your game plan might be, first you have to know the kids and know your surroundings. With already knowing the players. I know what they can and can't do. I will be able to put them in positions to succeed."
