"It's been an honor, a privilege, and a gift to have been a football coach ... at Mesabi Range College," Lind stated in a press release. "It's a difficult personal decision, but I know it's time to step away."

During a phone interview with the Mesabi Daily News, Lind stated how the decision didn't come easy, even after a few years.

"It's a huge decision," Lind said. "I've been contemplating it for quite a period of time."

Lind's main prerogative for retirement wasn't simply one issue, though the extra free time for hunting and fishing was a large part of the reason.

"It takes so much dedication and energy to coach a college sport," Lind added. "It's very demanding, it's exhausting.

"It just felt like the right time."

The Norse had a tepid 2016 campaign, finishing 1-7 and not qualifying for the playoffs. However, Lind had many successful years at Mesabi Range. Appointed head coach in 2005, he's led the Norse to five State Semi-Finals, one Northern Division Championship, and one MCAC Championship in 2008.

Many of his players have achieved All-Conference, All-Division, and All-American status. He also coached Kenneth Horsley, a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2015, and Khiry Robinson, who was last signed by the New York Jets in 2016 but was released after injury.

"We didn't win as many games as we would have liked," Lind stated in the press release, "but I believe we conducted a program that was well-respected and did things the right way."

"Dan has dedicated his professional life to football," Mesabi Range Provost Carol Helland stated in the press release. "He truly embraces the athletic department's mission to create opportunities for student athletes — first in the classroom, then in competition on the field.

"The college is grateful for his years of leadership as head coach of the football program."

Besides coaching, Lind is also a physical education instructor at the school.

"I would like to thank Dan for his dedicated commitment to the program over the past 12 seasons," Mesabi Range Athletic Director JoJo Scott stated in the press release. "Dan has worked extremely hard, both on and off the field, providing opportunities that allowed our student-athletes to grow and develop."

Besides coaching the Norse, Lind coached for 14 years at Minnesota State University Moorhead as defensive coordinator. In that role he helped lead the Dragons to the NSIC Championship in 1991, advancing to the semifinals in the postseason. That year, the Dragons led the NSIC in pass defense (124.4 yards per game), scoring defense (14.2 yards per game) and total defense (202.2 yards per game). He, along with the entire 1991 team, was inducted into the Dragon Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

He also spent two years coaching Montana State University's secondary as a graduate assistant.

So, will he miss coaching?

"That's the big question," Lind said. "I've talked to guys who have got out and haven't missed a day. I've known fewer guys who have got out and returned. But I think it mostly goes (the former) way."

Lind also thanked the entire Mesabi Range College community, who has helped him over the years as head coach. To him, the biggest reward has been the reward of seeing players graduate from a four-year college.

"It's always been about the kids," Lind said. "The most enjoyment you get is when a kid calls you and says 'Coach, I'm graduating.' Which is better than the wins, the championships ... When a kid gets a 4-year degree, you're changing lives. It's just a different deal."

Lind will continue as an instructor at the college, working with the transition team to find his replacement as head football coach, the press release states.

Mesabi Range will begin the transition process this month.

This story written by, Joseph Labernik Mesabi Daily News