Bio

Pete Stanton was named the 15th head coach in Dickinson State history in December of 2013. Stanton enters his 10th season as Head Football Coach and his 24th year with the program after spending 14 years as an assistant coach. He is currently second amongst Dickinson State coaches in career wins accumulating a 75-25 record in nine years. He has led the Blue Hawks to eight straight NSAA conference championships and appearances in the NAIA national playoffs from 2015 to 2022.

In 2018 he led the Blue Hawks to the NAIA quarter finals and won the first road playoff game in school history. In 2019 the Blue Hawks became the first team in school history to win 5 consecutive conference championships. In 2020 the Blue Hawks became only the 6th team in school history to have an undefeated regular season. As a head coach Stanton has coached 17 All-American players.

Stanton is a native of Baker, MT where he was a three sport athlete. He has a wealth of coaching experience having been the head football coach at Terry, MT for nine years and the head coach at Belgrade, MT for two years before coming to DSU in 2000. He had a 70-20 record at Terry High School where his teams made the playoffs all nine years. The Terry teams advanced to the state championship game on three different occasions. Stanton's head coaching record in college and high school is 143-53.

Not only does Stanton have a rich history of coaching at Dickinson State, but is also an alumni. Stanton played for the Blue Hawks during their domination in the mid-80's. He was part of two playoff teams and his three-year record as a player at DSU was an outstanding 25-4. He was a two-time All-Conference and All-District selection as a safety. In 1987, he was named 1st Team NAIA All-American and an Academic All-American. He was awarded the Harry J. Wienbergen male athlete of the year award as a senior. He was inducted into the Dickinson State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

Stanton earned a Master's Degree from Montana State University and is currently serving as the athletic director for the Blue Hawks. Prior to taking over as head coach, Stanton was the head men and women's track and field coach. He was named the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field National Coach of the Year for four straight years from 2003-2006 after leading the Blue Hawk men to national championships in 2006, 2005 and 2004 and runner-up finishes in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. His 2004-2006 teams were inducted into the DSU Hall of Fame in 2016.

He was selected as the 2006 and 2003 North Dakota Sportscasters and Sportswriters College Coach of the Year and his 2006, 2005, and 2004 men's track team was selected as North Dakota male college team of the year. He was named the conference men's track and field Coach of the Year ten times since 2002. He led the Blue Hawk men to conference championships in track every year from 2003 to 2012. He has been named NSAA conference football coach of the year in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

He resides in Dickinson with his wife Candace and children Luke and Maddy.

Year Record Conf. Finish NAIA Post-Season




2014 7-4 2nd in NSAA



2015 8-3 1st in NSAA First round



2016 9-3 1st in NSAA First round



2017 9-2 1st in NSAA First round



2018 9-3 1st in NSAA Quarterfinals (Defeated Northwestern Iowa in first round)



2019 8-3 1st in NSAA First round



2020 9-1 1st in NSAA First round (Undefeated regular season)



2021 8-3 1st in NSAA First round




2022 8-3 1
st in NSAA First round