The University of Minnesota Duluth has renewed head football coach Curt Wiese's contract, extending it through the 2028-29 season. The specifics of the agreement have not been disclosed.
"Curt is an exceptional coach and an incredible person," UMD director of athletics Forrest Karr said in a prepared statement. "He mentors other coaches and cares about the well-being of athletes throughout our department. Alums, parents, fans, athletes and colleagues regularly tell me about Curt's positive influence and the many ways that he has earned their trust. We are excited about the continued excellence of Bulldog football under Curt's guidance."
Over 13 seasons at UMD, with a record of 97-23, Wiese has guided the Bulldogs to seven Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division titles and four NCAA Division II playoff appearances.
"I have been surrounded by many great players, staff and assistant coaches in my time at UMD, which has allowed us to have success both on and off the field," Wiese said. "I appreciate the support from our administrative team, and I look forward to continuing to help lead our football program alongside an outstanding staff and group of young men."
Darrisaw agrees to contract extension with Vikings
Christian Darrisaw is regarded as one of the NFL's top young tackles.
At 25, he is set to remain a Viking for the foreseeable future, agreeing to a four-year contract extension with Minnesota on Tuesday. This agreement ensures that Darrisaw will stay with the team until the 2029 season.
Darrisaw has started in 39 out of 41 games for the Vikings since being chosen as the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. This includes starting every one of the 15 games he played in 2023, a year in which he recorded a personal best of 982 snaps. In that season, Minnesota was fourth in both passing attempts and touchdowns, and fifth in passing yards, an impressive feat considering the team started four different quarterbacks in a single season for the first time ever.
Darrisaw has excelled as a pass blocker and has demonstrated his dominance in run plays, displaying the strength and athleticism that made him a highly-regarded prospect.
The Maryland native had his first career start against Carolina on October 17, 2021, contributing to the Vikings' impressive 571 yards of offense in a 34-28 overtime victory, during which the offensive line allowed no sacks.
In the 2023 season, Darrisaw achieved the third-highest pass block grade (85.3) among all offensive linemen who played at least 50 percent of their team's snaps, as per Pro Football Focus.
Vikings add Shelley
Duke Shelley has rejoined the Vikings.
The signing was announced on Tuesday. It marks the cornerback's return to Minnesota, where he played in 11 games, starting five, in 2022.
During his time with the Vikings, Shelley achieved 30 tackles (22 solo), secured an interception, and set a personal best with eight passes defended, along with contributing one special teams tackle. His interception occurred in Chicago, facing the team that originally drafted him.
Shelley played 11 games in a season with the Rams in 2023, but he is now back with Minnesota.
At 27 years old, Shelley, a Kansas State alumnus, entered the NFL as a sixth-round selection by the Bears in 2019.
From 2019 to 2021, he appeared in 30 games for Chicago.
