Dale Hertel

Dale Hertel, whose name became synonymous with Fargo South football and who spent more than four decades shaping young athletes and students across the Red River Valley, died Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was 76.

More than the trophies and titles, those who knew Dale best remember a devoted father, grandfather, teacher, coach, friend, and man of faith who gave far more than he ever took.

Dale was born December 17, 1949, to John and Dorothy (Fick) Hertel. He grew up in Moorhead, graduated from Moorhead High School, and went on to Concordia College, where he played quarterback for coach Jim Christopherson. As a senior in 1970, he led the Cobbers in total offense with 1,244 yards, both passing and running, and was named the MIAC’s Most Valuable Player while helping Concordia to its second straight conference title. A multi-sport standout, he also competed in baseball and track. Dale graduated in 1971 and was inducted into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990.

Dale’s coaching career began at Ortonville, MN, where he spent five seasons before taking over the Fargo South football program in 1976. What followed became one of the great runs in North Dakota high school football history. It started with a state championship in 1978 and grew from there: Dale led the Bruins to eight state titles across his 21 seasons, reaching the Class A final an astonishing 12 times. His teams went unbeaten four times, won 11 Eastern Dakota Conference championships, and compiled a record of 183–41. Including his years at Ortonville, he finished his high school coaching career with a record of 209–59. Dale was named North Dakota High School Football Coach of the Year three times, and his 1978 squad was honored as the state’s Team of the Year. Those who had the privilege of playing for him remember his patience and his methodical eye for the game, but even more, they remember that he built a family every season. Winning mattered, yet what Dale cared about most was the culture around it: a place where every player belonged. One of his proudest achievements was that within a players’ 4 years on the field they all had the chance to share in a state-championship moment, win or lose.

In 1997, after leading South to his eighth title, Dale returned to his alma mater to join Jim Christopherson’s staff at Concordia — a homecoming he called the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. He spent 22 seasons with the Cobbers, primarily as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, including 18 years under head coach Terry Horan, before retiring after the 2018 season. His accomplishments were recognized with induction into the North Dakota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame (1999), the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2004), and the Fargo South Hall of Fame (2013).

Above all, Dale measured his life not in victories but in people. His influence reached far beyond any field or scoreboard. He rose early, stayed late, and gave himself fully to everyone around him. Whether he was drawing up a play, greeting a student in the hallway, or sitting across the kitchen table, he had a rare gift for making whoever was in front of him feel that they mattered, because to him, they did. He believed in showing up, in doing the small things well, and in the quiet dignity of hard work. In retirement, he poured that same devotion into his grandchildren, rarely missing a game, a dance, or a recital, and treasuring the ice cream and pancakes that always followed. Being a dad and a grandpa, he would say, were the greatest accomplishment of his life — and the example he set will live on in all who knew him.

Dale is survived by his children, Angie (Jason) Caron of Bemidji, MN, Jeff Hertel of Roseville, MN, Jason (Eric Weiss) Hertel of St. Anthony, MN, and Jessica (Jason) Just of Lakeville, MN; and his grandchildren, Lucas, Jack, Logan, Lilly, Grace, Sawyer and Olivia Caron, Decker and Tatum Hertel, Sam and Max Just, and Austin and Emme Schmidt. He is also survived by his siblings, Judi (Daryl) Hendrickson, Don (Cheryl) Hertel and Dan Hertel, and by the mother of his children, Linda Massey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy (Fick) Hertel; his wife, Sandra Hertel; and his daughter, Chelsea McNair.

We will be having a Celebration of Life for Dale on October 18th, 2026 at Concordia College Memorial Auditorium, 901 Eighth St S, Moorhead, MN 56562. Gathering hours: Open House from 1-5PM and a special Memorial Program from 2:00PM-3:30PM. We invite you to wear Fargo South or Concordia College apparel or team colors to honor Dale.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to one of the following:
• ALS Association https://www.als.org/
• American Cancer Society https://donate.cancer.org
• Scalpel At The Cross https://scalpelatthecross.org/
• Cobber Athletics (Designate for Football) https://givebutter.com/EM500