2018 Frontier Foootball Preview: Frontier stacked with experienced head coaches in 2018

There's only one new head coach in the Frontier Conference this season, and he's creating quite a buzz.

In December, Montana State University-Northern hired Andrew Rolin, a former quarterback under Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego, and a former assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division I San Jose State, as the Lights' fourth head coach since football was brought back to Northern just over two decades ago.

Rolin replaces Aaron Christensen, who resigned with three games left in the 2017 season, and who led the Lights to just two wins in his tenure.

Of course, from the start, Rolin knew the task at Northern was going to be an uphill one, but with the hiring of a young, excellent staff, and a solid first recruiting class, coupled with a productive spring, he's helped build excitement for the upcoming season.

"We are going to hold our guys to a high standard," Rolin said at last week's Frontier Football Media Day in Great Falls. "We are going to get after it and hold them to that standard day in and day out. That's really our mentality and what our philosophy is all about. If we take care of the process, eventually, the score will take care of itself. I don't know how long that is going to take, but that is definitely our philosophy in taking over this program."

While Rolin is busy implementing a new philosophy at MSU-N, the Frontier is littered with veteran head coaches. Here's a quick glance at each head coach around the league as the 2018 season draws closer.

Mike Van Diest, Carroll College

After 19 years as head coach at Carroll College, Mike Van Diest has led the Fighting Saints to six National Championships, 14 Frontier Conference Championships - including 12 straight titles from 2000-2011 - for one of the most dominating runs in college football history. The Saints have posted a 198-48 record - 80 percent - during the past sixteen seasons. This includes a Frontier Conference mark of 138-28 for an impressive winning percentage of 83 percent. The Saints have compiled a playoff record of 39-8 over the past fourteen years.

Tim Camp, Eastern Oregon

Camp enters his 12th season at the helm of the EOU program. During his time at the helm, Camp has compiled an overall record of 57-43. On Sept. 10, 2016, on the road against Montana Western, Camp became EOU's all-time winningest coach (49) with a 35-23 triumph. Prior to becoming the head coach at EOU, Camp served as an assistant coach for the Mountaineers for two seasons. In addition to being the offensive line coach, Camp was also the recruiting and camp coordinator.

Chuck Morrell, Montana Tech

Morrell begins his eighth year in Butte. He's led the Orediggers to a 41-44 overall record, as well as two Frontier championships and four NAIA playoff appearances. Morrell arrived at Tech from the University of South Dakota, where he served as the defensive coordinator in 2009. Prior to his stint at USD, Morrell coached at the University of Sioux Falls, 1998-2009, where he served as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

Mike Moroski, College of Idaho

Moroski is the only coach C of I has had since the school resurrected football. He led the Yotes to their first winning season in the Frontier in 2017. Moroski came to the college after three decades at UC-Davis - both as a player and a coach.

Ryan Nourse, UM-Western

Nourse enters his third season of his second stint as the Bulldog's head coach. after serving as the University of Montana Western Athletic Director from 2013 to 2016. Before accepting the role as AD, Nourse was the head football coach from the spring of 2011 through the spring of 2013, where he led the team for two regular seasons. Before returning to his alma matter, Nourse served as the offensive coordinator at Morningside College in 2010-2011, his second stint at Morningside, where he also coached the quarterbacks and was the recruiting and camp coordinators. The offense ranked in the top-25 in total offense and scoring offense with Nourse at the helm.

Jason Petrino, Rocky Mountain

Petrino starts his third season as Rocky's head man. He's led RMC to two straight winning seasons. His family legacy includes the late, great Bob Petrino Sr., as well as NCAA Division I head coach Bobby Petrino and Paul Petrino. Petrino's coaching career began in 2000 at his alma mater, Carroll College, where he coached the defensive backs on the 2002 NAIA National Championship team. He stayed on head coach Mike Van Diest's Carroll College coaching staff for three seasons.