GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Isaac Fruechte was named to the 2026 class of the American Football Coaches Association's 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute on Monday.

The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression and family balance.

To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years old or younger on January 1st of the year's convention and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, a two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or an NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or a ten-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant's choosing back in the summer. 

Fruechte has served as UND's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the past two seasons. In 2025, North Dakota's offense averaged 32.9 points per game, which currently ranks No. 22 in the FCS. The offense also ranks No. 9 nationally in first downs picked up (295) and No. 13 in sacks allowed per game (1.1). The backfield ranks No. 18 in the country, averaging 194.9 yards on the ground each contest. This season, the Fighting Hawks racked up more than 400 yards of offense five times, led by 564 yards in the 46-17 victory against Indiana State.

In 2024, Fruechte's offense ranked No. 13 in the FCS in red-zone scoring, finding points 89.6 percent of the time when reaching the red-zone. His offense also ranked No. 20 in third down conversion percentage (45.6 percent), No. 20 in time of possession (31:32) and No. 25 in rushing offense (186.9 yards per game). During the season, UND put up over 400 yards of offense three times, highlighted by 601 yards in the 72-35 win over Murray State.

He arrived at UND after spending two seasons at Winona State as the offensive coordinator and helped nine Warriors reach All-NSIC status. He was elevated to the associate head coach and quarterbacks coach in March of 2023 after guiding the Warriors to the NCAA Division II playoffs and a final record of 8-4 in his first season as the offensive coordinator.

Prior to his time with Winona State, Fruechte was hired as the offensive coordinator at Northern State in December of 2019 and coached the Wolves to a 7-4 record in his one season in 2021. At NSU, Fruechte managed all offensive personnel and coached both the quarterbacks and wide receivers.
 
Fruechte coached the wide receivers at Northern Iowa in 2019 and was on the coaching staff that led the Panthers to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs that season. In addition to being the wide receiver coach, Fruechte also oversaw the punt and kickoff return units for UNI.
 
Before Northern Iowa, Fruechte spent time at Wisconsin-La Crosse as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Eagles in 2018. UW-L's offense averaged 32.1 points and 384.8 yards of offense per game in 2018 and finished second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in both scoring and passing offense. He broke into the coaching world in March of 2018, serving as the coach of the wide receivers in the spring and then transitioning in the fall as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
 
From 2015-17, Fruechte played two seasons for the Minnesota Vikings. In 2016, he also had a six-game stint as a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions before returning to the Vikings.

Prior to coaching, he played three seasons as a wide receiver at Minnesota from 2012 until 2014. His senior season, Fruechte served as a team captain for the Gophers. In his collegiate career, he had 50 receptions and piled up 702 receiving yards. He also hauled in three touchdown grabs as a Gopher and garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors in both 2013 and 2014.