Minnesota football is making a key addition to its defensive coaching staff, as Steve Stanard is expected to take over as the Gophers’ new rush ends coach for the 2026 season. The veteran assistant, who most recently spent six seasons at Kansas State coaching linebackers, steps into the role vacated by Bobby April III. April briefly held the position following the bowl game before heading to the NFL to join Jim Leonhard’s staff with the Buffalo Bills.
For Minnesota, this move brings in a seasoned coach with deep roots in the Midwest and a proven track record of player development. Stanard’s time in Manhattan was marked by consistency and production-he coached nine different Kansas State linebackers to All-Big 12 honors, with at least one standout in every season he was on staff. That kind of resume speaks to his ability to identify talent, develop it, and get results on the field.
Stanard’s coaching journey has taken him across the college football landscape, with stops at places like Syracuse, Wyoming, and North Dakota State, in addition to Kansas State. But his roots run deep in Big Ten country. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, he played for the Cornhuskers from 1984 to 1987, giving him firsthand experience in the kind of physical, disciplined football that defines this region.
The timing of this hire is important for the Gophers, who are undergoing some reshuffling on the defensive front. C.J.
Robbins is moving from rush ends coach to oversee the entire defensive line in 2026, which opened the door for a new voice to lead the edge group. That group includes promising young players like Karter Menz, TJ Bush, and Jaxon Howard-athletes with upside who could thrive under Stanard’s guidance.
For Minnesota, this is more than just a coaching hire. It’s a move to stabilize and elevate a key position group with a coach who’s been around the block and knows how to get the most out of his players. If Stanard’s track record is any indication, the Gophers’ edge rushers are in good hands heading into the 2026 campaign.