The Dickinson State Coaching Tree: Tony Biesiot – Family Tradition

Coaching Tree: Maps the relationships between a head coach and their former assistants or players who later became head coaches themselves. It’s similar to a family tree but applied to coaching..

As part of the 100 Years of DSU Football project, Dickinson State University is spotlighting coaches across the nation who’ve carried forward the traditions and values of legendary Blue Hawk leaders Hank Biesiot and Pete Stanton. Through a series of interviews conducted by students in Dr. Debora Dragseth’s Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, the Blue Hawk Coaching Tree is coming to life—one story at a time.

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Tony Biesiot—a 2000 graduate of Dickinson State University and son of Coach Hank Biesiot—spent five seasons in Blue Hawk blue and gray. Though he’s no longer on the sidelines, his experiences on the gridiron continue to shape his leadership today as Superintendent of the Darby School District in Montana.

Tony’s journey through the coaching ranks included roles on both sides of the ball—from coaching linebackers at Chadron State College to working with the offensive line at Sacramento State, and later coaching football and baseball at Minot State and handling defensive line duties at Minnesota Duluth and Lead-Deadwood High School.

But no matter the location, one foundational principle stayed with him—something he learned firsthand from his father and coach: treat everyone with respect.

“He modeled how to treat people,” Tony shared. “Whether it was a starting senior or a backup on the scout team, he made everyone feel valued.”

This deep sense of fairness and humility became a cornerstone of Tony’s own leadership style—not just on the field, but in the schools and communities he now serves.

Coach Biesiot’s sayings had staying power too. One phrase in particular stuck:

“Don’t be outhustled.”

It became a life mantra for Tony—simple, clear, and powerful. “It’s about doing your best and working harder than everyone else,” he said, a lesson he often passed on to his own players.

Some of Tony’s fondest memories from DSU aren’t of any single play or game, but the shared moments of camaraderie—cheering on teammates, forming lifelong friendships, and building bonds that extended beyond the scoreboard.

Although coaching was always in his blood, Tony’s passion for athletics was rooted in something deeper than any one moment. Yet, when he did take the reins, there were definitely echoes of his father’s influence.

“I’d catch myself saying ‘Don’t be outhustled’ in the locker room,” Tony laughed. “And I tried to mirror how he treated people—from the players to the bus drivers.” And if his father were to watch him coach today? “He’d recognize the I-formation,” Tony said with a grin. “That was a staple.”

While Tony no longer coaches, his time under Coach Biesiot’s leadership left an imprint that transcends sports. He leads now in different arenas, but the values remain the same—work hard, treat people right, and never be outhustled.

Interview conducted by Maddox Roberts.