Varsity Insiders With Randy Shaver

Aitkin, Willmar and Park Christian enter the Minnesota high school football playoffs with perfect records. Their coaches — Alan Hills, Jon Konold and Matt Baasch — join Randy Shaver to share what changed, who stepped up and why past wins won’t carry them through the postseason.

First-year Minnesota high school football head coaches Jerad Kostiuk (International Falls), Devin Lockerby (NRHEG) and Chris Zimmel (Fertile-Beltrami), whose journeys to the job could hardly be more different, chat with Randy Shaver about their first wins, unexpected responsibilities and lessons from the sideline.

Lakeville South defensive coordinator Mark Dean has coached all three of his sons, and now his oldest, Camden, coaches alongside him while his youngest, Griffen, finishes his senior season before heading to Montana. The three join Randy Shaver to talk about what it was like growing up in the Dean family, how their competitive streaks followed them onto the football field, coaching alongside each other and Griffen’s hoped-for return from injury.

Ortonville, Medford and Sibley East are each seeking their first win of the Minnesota high school football season while carrying long losing streaks. Head coaches Matt Fellows, Jerome Johannes and Stephen Montgomery join Randy Shaver to discuss what keeps players coming back, where they see progress and what it will take to break through.

After almost 58 seasons and 442 victories, Verndale football coach Mike Mahlen still enjoys practices, game preparation and calling plays on Friday nights. He joins Randy Shaver to discuss his remarkable career, his path from a 0-0 game to two state championships and why he plans to keep coaching as long as the game remains fun.

Wayzata, Bagley and Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons have opened the Minnesota high school football season 3-0, and each program took a different path to get there. The three teams' head coaches join Randy Shaver to discuss their turnarounds, explain why their players bought in and look ahead to the challenges that await.

Twenty-five years after playing high school football at Academy of Holy Angels, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is back in Minnesota for an honor that connects his past, present and family legacy. He joins Randy Shaver to discuss Fitzgerald Field, his sons’ football journeys and the unforgettable people who helped him believe anything was possible.

Chris Meidt joins Randy Shaver to share how Minneota's broken scoreboard inspired the community to transform its stadium and honor his father, legendary coach Gerhard Meidt. He also shares stories about his father’s leadership, the rise of Minneota's dynasty in Minnesota high school football and a legacy that still shapes the community.

An idea embraced by Minnesota football coaches has grown into a statewide movement that has raised $4.7 million for cancer research and patient support. Dave Nelson and Stillwater coach Beau LaBore join Randy Shaver to discuss Tackle Cancer’s staying power, the competition driving record donations and why getting involved matters more than how much a team raises.

Minnesota’s football recruiting landscape is loaded with talent, led by powerhouse rosters at Moorhead and Shakopee, seven in-state Gophers commits and a growing group of prospects attracting national attention.

Randy Shaver sits down with 247Sports' Ryan Burns and Prep Redzone's Oliver West to examine the state’s 2027 recruiting class and the debate over Minnesota’s top senior recruit. Burns and West identify overlooked players who could emerge this season and break down the transfer portal’s impact on high school recruiting, the pressure to commit earlier and Brodie Metzger’s rise from Nine-Player football to Power Four prospect.

How do you build and sustain a football dynasty when small enrollments, limited rosters and constant expectations are working against you?

Minneota coach Chad Johnston and Jackson County Central coach Tom Schuller join Randy Shaver to share what keeps two Minnesota high school football programs thriving across generations. They explain how coaching continuity, youth involvement, weight-room commitment and community support turned their small-town schools into perennial powers.

The coaches also share their advice for rebuilding a program, why relationships matter more than any “secret sauce” and how they keep accomplished players hungry when everyone expects them to win.

Blake Betton is a Penn State commit playing Class 6A football in the Twin Cities. Brodie Metzger is a Nine-Player state champion from southwestern Minnesota with 12 Division I offers. Both are ranked No. 1 in Minnesota in their recruiting classes, and both play for their dads.

Randy Shaver talks with Betton, a Shakopee linebacker, and Metzger, a Hills-Beaver Creek two-way player, about the pressure of being a top recruit, the reality behind NIL negotiations and why college coaches keep calling after a verbal commitment.

Betton shares why he chose Penn State and offers Metzger advice on evaluating schools, coaches and opportunities. The two multisport stars also discuss being coached by their dads, getting discovered, enrolling in college early and how basketball has made them better football players.

Why did Dwight Lundeen stay at Becker High School for 57 football seasons — and how does a program replace the only head coach it has ever known?

The Minnesota high school football legend joins Randy Shaver to reflect on his final season, the emotional milestones ahead and the coaching philosophy behind Becker’s enduring success. His son, Redwood Valley coach Matt Lundeen, shares what inspired his book, "Success Is Temporary. Impact Is Forever," and Becker’s next head coach, Hokan Bengtson, explains what he learned from Lundeen.

They explore how great coaches earn trust, bring out more in their players and build a legacy that reaches far beyond wins and championships. Plus: Lundeen reveals what comes next — and whether he can truly leave football behind.

Welcome to Varsity Insiders from Strib Varsity and the Minnesota Star Tribune. This is your one stop shop for all things Minnesota high school football.