After two strong seasons, Tommy Lujan trades pads for a clipboard to become adjunct coach for Bemidji State
Apr. 6—BEMIDJI — To Tommy Lujan, it seemed like just yesterday that he played his last game in a Bemidji State football uniform. A transfer from Adams State in Colorado, Lujan joined the Beavers in 2024 and became an immediate contributor.
He showcased his maturity and leadership throughout the season that saw the Beavers make the deepest playoff run in program history. Eventually, he was named captain in 2025 for his redshirt senior season. His leadership became important for a Beaver defense that was young and inexperienced.
Despite a rough start to the season that saw BSU go 0-5 (giving up 28 or more points in four out of the first five games), it went on a 4-2 run to end the season on a positive note. After making five tackles in a 34-21 win over U-Mary, the last game of Lujan's career, the defensive back felt like he wasn't done with the program just yet. He approached head coach Brent Bolte to join the coaching staff as an adjunct coach for the 2026 season.
Bolte couldn't have thought of anyone better for the role. "If you ever spend any time with Tommy, he's infectious, number one," Bolte said. "The guys like him.
They gravitate to him. He's got an 'it' personality. He works freaking hard and he'd fit in ever since he came here as a transfer.