Homegrown and Hall-of-Fame Worthy: The Coaching Legacy of Myron Schulz

Written by Marauder Football Alumni Association | Feb 13, 2026 12:27:02 AM

For more than two decades, when people in Bismarck talked about University of Mary football, one name came up right away: Myron Schulz.

A true home-grown legend, Schulz and UMary football rose to national prominence together. A lifelong resident of Bismarck, North Dakota, he spent 23 of the program’s first 26 years on the Marauders sideline and became the winningest head coach in school history.

From Century Patriot to Marauder for Life

Schulz’s connection to the community runs deep.

  • Graduated from Bismarck Century High School in 1983
  • Attended Bismarck State College
  • Transferred to the University of Mary in 1986

He earned his UMary degree in 1987, graduating with:

  • A degree in physical education
  • Social and behavioral science teacher education

Just one year later, when the University of Mary launched its first varsity football season in 1988, Schulz joined the coaching staff. From the beginning, he helped shape the identity of Marauder Football.

Building the Foundation: Coordinator and Culture-Builder

After his first season at Mary, Schulz stepped away briefly to gain more experience:

  • 1989: Coached in New Rockford, ND
  • 1990–1991: Served as a graduate assistant at Montana State University

He returned to UMary in 1992—and stayed for the next 22 years.

As defensive coordinator, he:

  • Helped lead the Marauders to three conference titles
  • Played a key role in four NAIA national playoff teams

Those early years established Mary as a tough, disciplined, and well-coached program—traits that mirrored the man calling the defense.

Taking the Helm: A Historic Run as Head Coach

Before the 1999 season, Schulz was named head coach. What followed was one of the greatest stretches in program history.

In his very first year as head coach:

  • Led the Marauders to an 11–2 record
  • Reached the NAIA semifinals for just the second time in school history

It was the beginning of an incredible run:

  • Nine straight winning seasons
  • Six consecutive NAIA national playoff appearances
  • Four conference championships

As the program grew, so did the stage. Schulz guided UMary through its successful transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II and into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), competing against some of the strongest programs in the region.

By the time his head coaching tenure concluded, Schulz had compiled a record of:

  • 103–60 over 15 seasons – making him the winningest coach in UMary football history

Coaching Excellence On and Off the Field

Schulz’s impact can’t be measured by wins alone. It’s reflected in the players he developed—both as athletes and as men.

Over his career, he coached:

  • 23 All-Americans
  • 109 All-Conference players
  • 90 NSIC All-Academic honorees
  • 23 NAIA All-Academic performers

Those numbers tell a story beyond the scoreboard: under Schulz, academic excellence and character development mattered just as much as defensive schemes and game plans.

Generations of Marauder players will tell you the same thing: playing for Myron meant being held to a high standard in every area of life.

Still Teaching, Still Leading

Even after stepping away from the sideline, Schulz never stopped serving the University of Mary community.

Today, he continues to impact students as a faculty member in the Gary Tharaldson School of Business, where he:

  • Heads the Sports and Leisure Management program
  • Prepares the next generation of leaders in athletics, recreation, and sport business

In classrooms instead of huddles, he’s still doing what he’s always done best: teaching, mentoring, and challenging students to grow.

Why Coach Schulz’s Legacy Endures

For Marauder alumni, players, and fans, Myron Schulz represents:

  • Loyalty to home – a Bismarck native who chose to invest his career in his hometown university
  • Excellence in coaching – conference titles, playoff runs, and a successful jump to NCAA Division II
  • Commitment to the whole person – as shown by the long list of academic honors earned under his watch
  • A lasting presence – still on campus, still shaping lives

UMary football’s past, present, and future all run through the years when Schulz wore the headset. His legacy isn’t just in the record book; it’s in the hundreds of Marauders who played for him—and the countless students he continues to teach today.