Derek Bakken

Derek Bakken joined Cobber Football in the Spring of 2022 to coach the Defensive Line. While at Concordia College the last 2 seasons (2022/2023), Bakken has mentored 3 First time (5 Total) 1st Team All MIAC Football Selections. (Chase Dockter Fall 2022 & 2023, Collin Thompson Fall 2022 & 2023, Preston Johnson Fall 2022)

Fall of 2023 also saw defensive Lineman Collin Thompson selected as the MIAC Mike Stam Award Winner, given to the Most Outstanding Lineman (Offense or Defense) in the MIAC. (Thompson is the ninth Cobber in program history to win this prestigious award and the first Concordia College Student/Athlete in a decade to receive the Mike Stam Award) Thompson was also selected as a 2023 D3FOOTBALL.COM All-Region Player, as well as garnering the prestigious honor of being named D3FOOTBALL.COM All-American at his position in 2023.

Thompson & Dockter were also selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 2023 for their excellence in the classroom & performance on the gridiron.

Before Concordia, Bakken was Defensive Line Coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston for 1 year in 2019 before they dropped the program, where he mentored Golden Eagle Senior Joe Warner into a first-time All NSIC pick. Warner was the first All-NSIC Defensive Lineman in a decade & only Golden Eagle named in their last year of football. He had 34 tackles during his senior season, four tackles for loss, three sacks & a fumble recovery. Warner’s best game came with six tackles and a sack against Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Prior to the University of Minnesota Crookston, Bakken joined Mayville State University in December 2016 as Defensive Line Coach.

During the 2017 Season for the Comets, he mentored first-year player Austin Robb to be honored with NorthStar All-Conference HM as well as named an NAIA Champions of Character Recipient.

In 2018 Bakken was named Defensive Coordinator, then Associate Head Coach with DL/LB responsibilities & was fortunate to mentor Freshman LB Josiah Walker who was named NSAA Defensive Player of the Week, first Comet to receive that award in a decade as well as mentor DL Tyler Gay All NSAA 2nd Team, LB Ricky Flowers All NSAA 2nd Team, Austin Robb All NSAA HM, & Danial Simpson All NSAA HM. In 2017, Bakken served as General Manager/Defensive Coordinator of the Invaders as they transitioned into the NEFL, before being eliminated in the playoffs after capturing a share of the Western Division Regular Season Championship.

2016 saw Bakken serve as Co-Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator of the NSFL Fargo Invaders (Semi-Pro) which culminated in an NSFL League Championship and Bakken being named NSFL Coach of the Year with a defense that set numerous national records.

Bakken served as Defensive Line Coach with the Fargo Invaders (MPFL Semi-Pro) during their 2014 Championship season in 2014, being named Defensive Coach of the Year. Bakken Coached High School football at Fargo Oak Grove in 2007, as well as serving as Defensive Coordinator in 2011/2012 before being named head coach through the 2015 season.

Bakken began his college career at Dickinson State University as a Linebacker in 1985. Prior to the Blue Hawks, Bakken Graduated from Drake High School in Drake, North Dakota where he played Football, Basketball, Baseball & Track. Bakken & his wife (Janet) reside in Halstad, MN

Coaching History:
2022-Present Concordia College Defensive Line Coach
2018-2019 University of Minnesota Crookston Defensive Line Coach
2016-2018 Mayville State University D Line Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Associate Head Coach
2014-2017 Fargo Invaders (Semi Pro) D Line Coach, Co Head Coach, D Coordinator, General Manager
2007, 2011-2015 Fargo Oak Grove High School Assistant Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Head Coach

ALL CONFERENCE SELECTIONS (11):
Concordia College (5): Chase Dockter (2022/2023), Collin Thompson (2022/2023), Preston Johnson (2022)

University of Minnesota Crookston (1):
Joe Warner (2019)

Mayville State University (5):
Austin Robb (2017,2018), Tyler Gay (2018), Ricky Flowers (2018),
Danial Simpson (2018)

Mike Stam Award (MIAC Conference Top Lineman): Concordia College Moorhead Collin Thompson (2023)

D3FOOTBALL.COM All Region 6 First Team Selections (1): Concordia College Moorhead Collin Thompson (2023)

D3football.Com All American: Concordia College Moorhead - Collin Thompson (2023)