Bio

On May 1, 2012 Bakken was named Defensive Coordinator of Concordia College – Moorhead. He served as interim Defensive Coordinator for the 2011 season and joined the coaching staff in the fall of 2008 as a defensive assistant.

Kyle Bakken joined the Concordia Athletic Department as a full-time member in the spring of 2012 and was named Recruiting Coordinator in the spring of 2022. Prior to being named Defensive Coordinator, Bakken served as a defensive assistant coaching both defensive line and linebackers.

While at Concordia College, Bakken has mentored 5 All-Americans, 10 All-Region and 63 All-MIAC selections. This also includes 3 Mike Stam Award winner which is the top lineman in the MIAC.  

Under Bakken’s guidance, the Cobber Defense has been ranked in the top 5 of the MIAC in total defense 10 of the past 12 years. His defenses have been ranked nationally in various categories and have consistently been one of the top defenses in one of the top 2 conferences in the country. Concordia College an overall record of 76-44 (0.633 winning percentage) during his tenure as Defensive Coordinator.

Bakken was the head football coach at Fargo’s Oak Grove Lutheran School from 2003-2007. During his that time he amassed a 41-12 overall record and won the North Dakota State Championship in 2007. He guided the Grovers to five consecutive appearances in the North Dakota High School League playoffs. He was named Coach of the Year in 2007 by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association. Prior to being named the head coach at Oak Grove, Bakken was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Oak Grove since 1993.

Bakken spent 1 season at Minot State University as an Assistant Defensive Backs coach for the 1992 season. During this season, Minot State reached the Final Four in the NAIA playoffs.

Bakken began his college career at Minot State University as a Safety. He graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting with an emphasis in Banking/Finance. He earned his Masters in Management with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration from the University of Mary in 1998. Prior to his time at Minot State, Bakken was a 3-sport athlete at Oak Grove during high school. Bakken grew up in Drake, North Dakota and moved to Fargo after his freshman year in high school.

Bakken resides in Fargo, North Dakota with his wife Jeanne. Their son Jonah is a senior at Concordia College and plays football for the Cobbers.

Coaching History:
2012: present: Concordia College – Defensive Coordinator
2011: Concordia College – Interim Defensive Coordinator
2008: 2010: Concordia College – Defensive Assistant / D-Line & LB’s
2003-07: Oak Grove Lutheran School – Head Coach
1993–2002: Oak Grove Lutheran School – Defensive Coordinator
1992: Minot State University – Defensive Assistant / Defensive Backs

NAIA Playoffs
Minot State (1) – Semi-Finals, 1992

MIAC Most Valuable Lineman “Mike Stam Award”
Concordia College – Collin Thompson (2023), Nate Adams (2013), Travis Aufderheide (2008)

All-American Selections:
Concordia College – Collin Thompson (2023), Alex Berg ( 2019), Willie Julkes (2019), Nate Adams (2013), Kenyon O’Brien (2013)

All-Region Selections:
Concordia College – Collin Thompson (2023), Noah Jenson (2022), Alex Berg (2016, 2019), Willie Julkes (2019), Erik Bye (2015), Nate Adams (2013, 2014), Kenyon O’Brien (2013), Travis Aufderheide (2008)

All-Conference Selections:
Concordia College – Chase Dockter (2021, 2022, 2023), Collin Thompson (2022, 2023) PJ Parmelee (2023), Noah Jenson (2022), Preston Johnson (2022), Alex Berg (2016, 2017, 2019), Willie Julkes (2019), Sam Michel (2019), Mykal Tuiolosega-Siufanua (2019), Jesse Bucholz (2018), Dan Johnson (2018), Andrew Thompson (2017, 2018), Ethan Eagerton (2017), Cody Fox (2016, 2017), Dallas Raftevold (2016, 2017), Gunnar Kollman (2016), Kirby Siewert (2015, 2017), Matt Arhndt (2015, 2016), Hank Van Liew (2016), Erik Bye (2014, 2015), Levi Hintermeister (2013, 2014, 2015), Derek Rachel (2015), Austyn Raftevold (2015), Nate Adams (2013, 2014), Christian Erickson (2014), Carl Nelson (2014), Tyler Berling (2012, 2013), Kenyon O’Brien (2013), Mark Wychor (2011, 2012, 2013), Luke Peterson (2013), Bryce Hentges (2011, 2013), Jordan Doschadis (2012), Matt Moenkedick (2011, 2012), Paul Streich (2011, 2012), Seth Lage (2012), Reed Hefta (2010, 2012), Peter Hvidston (2012), Brent Rysdahl (2012), Travis Aufderheide (2008, 2009), Ryan McKay (2009), Clinton Strother (2008)