Jason Thier enters his ninth season as defensive coordinator at Dickinson State in 2026 and his 18th season coaching at the collegiate level. Thier joined the Blue Hawk football staff in March 2018 and was part of seven consecutive North Star Athletic Association championship teams from 2018-24. Following the 2021 season, he was named the NSAA Assistant Coach of the Year.
During his time at Dickinson State, Thier has coached two NAIA All-Americans, 22 all-conference selections and five conference Defensive Players of the Year. His defenses have consistently ranked among the conference and national leaders in scoring defense, third-down defense, takeaways and yards allowed. The Blue Hawks led the NAIA in takeaways per game in 2018 and 2022 and ranked No. 3 nationally in rushing defense in 2023 and No. 4 in 2024.
Before joining Dickinson State, Thier served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Mary. During his time with the Marauders, he coached an All-American, a preseason conference Defensive Player of the Year, four all-conference selections and future NFL linebacker Patrick O'Connell.
Thier spent the 2013 season as the inside linebackers coach at the University of North Dakota, where he coached an all-conference selection and future NFL player Will Ratelle. From 2011-12, he served as defensive coordinator at Montana Western. The Bulldogs produced the conference's No. 2 pass defense during his tenure, and in 2012, Montana Western doubled its win total from the previous season while increasing its takeaways by 13.
Thier began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Augustana University. He was part of the Vikings' 2010 team that won the first playoff game in program history, captured a conference championship and finished 11-2 and ranked No. 6 in the NCAA Division II Coaches Poll. During his two seasons at Augustana, Thier coached one all-region and three all-conference selections as the Vikings compiled a 19-5 record.
A former linebacker at Truman State University, Thier earned all-conference honors and served as a team captain before being named team MVP as a senior. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in education from Truman State in 2009 and a master's degree in education from Augustana in 2011. Thier earned a second master's degree in sport administration and leadership from Dickinson State in 2021.
Thier lives in Dickinson with his wife, Brittany, and their three children, Jackson, Zoey and Charlotte. Jackson is a sophomore at Dickinson State.
