Craig Stern, the Oles' assistant head coach for the past three seasons, will stick around as the head coach. St. Olaf athletics file photo

St. Olaf named Craig Stern head football coach on Friday. Stern has been a member of the St. Olaf football staff for the last nine seasons and assistant head coach for the last three. 

He follows Jerry Olszewski, who left in mid-December for the head coaching position at Division II Augustana (S.D.). 

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"We're excited for our football program," said athletic director Matt McDonald. "Craig has been an integral part of our success over the last decade and he is ready to lead." 

Stern has coordinated the Oles' defense and coached defensive backs in his time at St. Olaf. With Stern on staff, St. Olaf has compiled a 63-27 mark in nine seasons, each at or above the .500 plateau. St. Olaf had four 8-2 seasons in that stretch and two at 7-3. 

Prior to his time at St. Olaf, Stern was at Division II Concordia-St. Paul for five seasons as defensive coordinator. The Golden Bears' defense was ranked fourth nationally when they captured a NSIC title in 2003. He also spent three seasons on the offensive side of the ball, as coordinator at now-defunct Dana College from 1997-99. 

Stern is the 13th head coach in school history.