Dickinson State University

Pete Stanton was named the 15th head football coach in Dickinson State University history in December 2013. Now entering his 12th season at the helm and 26th overall with the program, Stanton has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in school history. He currently ranks second all-time in career wins at DSU, posting an impressive 95-29 record over 11 seasons.

Under Stanton’s leadership, the Blue Hawks have captured 10 consecutive North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) championships and qualified for the NAIA Football Championship Series every year from 2015 to 2024. Among the program's many milestones during his tenure:

• 2018: Reached the NAIA Quarterfinals; earned the program’s first-ever road playoff win.

• 2019: Became the first team in school history to win five straight conference titles.

• 2020: Completed an undefeated regular season, only the sixth in program history.

• 2023: Won a road playoff game at Montana Tech (35–27).

• 2024: Defeated Kansas Wesleyan (28–21) in the first home NAIA playoff victory since the championship streak began.

Over his head coaching career at Dickinson State, Stanton has coached 22 NAIA All-Americans and earned NSAA Coach of the Year honors nine times (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019–2024). In 2023, the DSU football program was named North Dakota Sportscasters and Sportswriters College Team of the Year.

Stanton, a native of Baker, Montana, was a standout three-sport athlete in high school. Before joining DSU in 2000, he served as head football coach at Terry High School (70–20 record, three state title game appearances) and Belgrade High School, compiling a combined prep coaching record that contributes to his overall career record of 172-56 at both the high school and collegiate levels.

A proud DSU alumnus, Stanton played for the Blue Hawks during their dominant stretch in the mid-1980s. As a three-year starter at safety, he helped lead the team to a 25-4 record, two NAIA playoff appearances, and earned numerous honors including:

• First Team NAIA All-American (1987)

• Academic All-American (1987)

• Two-time All-Conference and All-District selection

• Harry J. Wienbergen Male Athlete of the Year (1987)

He was inducted into the DSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

In addition to his football leadership, Stanton has made a lasting impact on DSU athletics through his past work as head men’s and women’s track and field coach. From 2003 to 2012, he guided the Blue Hawk men to ten consecutive conference championships and was named Conference Coach of the Year ten times. His teams captured NAIA National Championships in 2004, 2005, and 2006, and finished national runner-up in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. He was named NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Coach of the Year four consecutive times (2003–2006).

Stanton’s legacy in track and field is further recognized with multiple team inductions into the DSU Hall of Fame, including the 2004–06 national championship teams (Class of 2016) and 2008–09 teams (Class of 2023).

Stanton holds a master’s degree from Montana State University and currently serves as Athletic Director at Dickinson State. He and his wife, Candace, reside in Dickinson with their children, Luke and Maddy.

Year-by-Year Head Coaching Record – Dickinson State Football