WINONA, Minn. – Brian Curtin has been named the Winona State University head football coach, as announced by Winona State Director of Athletics Jen Flowers.

"It's an exciting day for Warrior football. Brian Curtin is the right person to lead the next generation of Warriors," Flowers said. "His commitment and passion for the game, and for Winona State, is unmatched. Brian's competitive drive and dedication to leading young men will be an asset to our program and our department. I look forward to watching our football program succeed under Brian's leadership."

Curtin, who served as interim head coach for the past season, led Winona State to a 6-5 record with a 6-4 NSIC mark, good for sixth within the league during the 2025 season.

"I would like to thank the search committee, Jen Flowers, and President Janz for the opportunity to continue to lead Winona State Football," noted Coach Curtin. "I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Winona State football team. The support from our players, my family, friends, the Winona community, and the entire campus has been amazing. Leading this team is a responsibility I take great pride in, and I am committed to continuing to build a program that represents Winona State University with integrity, competitiveness, and excellence on and off the field."

Curtin, a former football student-athlete and graduate of Winona State, began his coaching career as a student assistant coach for the Warriors in 1995. Providing stability in the coaching staff, Curtin has helped lead WSU to eight NSIC Championships and three NSIC South Division crowns. WSU has advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs seven times since Curtin's arrival while also playing in three Mineral Water Bowls.
 
Curtin's defenses have been a major part in the Warriors' success. Building their team around a stingy, ball-hawking unit, Curtin helped tutor five consecutive NSIC Defensive Players of the Year. A Warrior claimed the honor from 2002-2006, with Curtin personally coaching safety John Tackmann to the award in 2005 and 2006.
 
Tackmann was an All-American under Curtin's watchful eye in 2005 and 2006. He also coached Jamey Hutchinson to First Team All-American honors in 1997. Curtin coached the 2018 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and Don Hansen Super Region 5 Defensive Player of the Year - Andrew Spencer. Cornerback Isaiah Hall was also named an All-American under his watch in 2018.
 
Curtin has helped the Warriors to six seasons of 10 or more victories and 13 campaigns in which the team won at least eight games. His defenses also helped the team compile a 35-game home conference winning streak that began in 1999 and stretched through the end of the 2008 season.
 
Since joining the WSU staff, Curtin has helped tutor defensive units that led the NSIC in turnover margin (five times), scoring defense (three times), total defense (twice), rush defense and passing efficiency defense.
 
Curtin played football at Winona State and was a member of the 1993 NSIC Championship team. That squad went 7-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play to earn the only NAIA Playoff bid in school history. The Warriors repeated as NSIC Champions in 1994, posting a 7-3-1 overall record and 5-0-1 mark in league play.