Northern State University Athletics

James Kretchman was the head football coach, assistant athletic director, and professor of physical education at Northern State College.  Born in Lebanon, S.D., he was a 1952 Faulkton HS graduate and 1956 Northern State graduate. Kretchman spent 32 years at Northern State as a coach and athletic director.  A Little All-American while a player at NSU, Kretchman held the school career rushing record (4,121 yards) for almost 45 years. He established himself as the top running back in the school's history and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1956. 

After college, he was a high school coach and administrator at Clark, Leola, Webster and Aberdeen Central and was a graduate assistant at NSU and Wyoming. He returned to NSU in 1967 as an assistant coach in football, wrestling and track as well as an assistant professor of physical education. 

In 1969 he was named head football coach of the Wolves, and led the Wolves to an unbeaten season.  As head football coach, Kretchman's teams compiled a 67-46-7 record in 12 seasons, have recorded two undefeated seasons, 1969 and 1971, and played in the NAIA National Playoff Division I in 1971. 

Kretchman has been selected by his fellow coaches in NAIA District 12 as the NAIA District 12 Football Coach of the Year two times, 1969 and 1971, was NSC Gypsy Marshall in 1955 and NSC Alumni Coach of the Year in 1968.  He also received the NSC Excellence in Teaching Award and is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, National Education Association, and the South Dakota Education Association.

Kretchman married Bonnie Nelson and they have three children.