The end of an era: Longtime Palmer football mentor retires; Moose offensive coordinator named head coach

PALMER — After 28 seasons, 159 wins, six trips to a championship game and a state title, Rod Christiansen, the longtime head coach of the Palmer High School football program, has retired.

Christiansen met with Palmer High School principal Paul Reid and PHS activities director Dale Ewart Wednesday to announce his retirement.

“He exemplifies everything you want in a coach,” Ewart said of Christiansen Wednesday afternoon. “He has a passion for the program, and he’ll give anything he can for it. We’ll definitely miss him.”

Tim Popowski, an assistant on Christiansen’s staff for the past 12 seasons, has been promoted to head coach, and will succeed Christiansen, Ewart said.

“It’s a natural transition,” Ewart said.

Christiansen said he’s pondered retirement for some time. Last year, he retired from teaching, after a long career with the Mat-Su Borough School District.

“I’ve been playing it year-by-year at this point,” Christiansen said. “I didn’t know for sure last year.”

Christiansen said he finally came to the conclusion that it’s time.

“I think it’s time to turn it over to some other guys and move on,” Christiansen said.

Last season, Christiansen set the all-time record for career wins in Alaska. With a victory over Eagle River, Christiansen tied the prior mark of 150 wins, held by the late Buck Nystrom, who coached at Eielson and North Pole. The following week, with a Palmer win at Kenai Central, Christiansen earned his 151st career victory, breaking Nystrom’s record. Christiansen retired with 158 career victories.

“It’s very satisfying to be in the conversation with Buck and all of those coaches who have been around for a long time,” Christiansen said.

Christiansen said the assistant coaches he’s worked with throughout his run as head coach played a big role in the overall success, and his chance to break the all-time wins record. Christiansen had assistants who spent decades with him in the program. Brad Hanson, Keith Armstrong and Kay Omer are among those who were with Christiansen the longest. Christiansen also noted Popowski.

“That’s a real big deal, having quality assistants around,” Christiansen said.

Christiansen said knowing he could depend on his assistants is a big reason why he was able to serve as head coach as long as he did.

Christiansen said he’s also proud of the consistency of the program. Since leading Palmer to the ASAA playoffs for the first time in 1994, Palmer has missed the postseason only twice since.

“Rebuilding was never a thought in my mind,” Christiansen said. “You develop kids and bring them along until it’s their turn to be on varsity.”

Christiansen led Palmer to its first ASAA state title game in 1995, and the Moose earned the championship with a 12-7 victory over Chugiak. The Christiansen-led Moose also advanced to the large-schools state title game in 1996, 2005 and 2007, and the Division II championship game in 2016 and 2017.

Christiansen said he’s proud of the success, and the competition. But overall, it’s about the players.

“I really love coaching. Coaching the kids. Working with the other coaches too,” Christiansen said.

Christiansen also had the opportunity to coach his sons Collin, Cameron, Adam and Aaron. Collin and Cameron returned after their college football career, and served as assistants on the staff.

“Both coaching my kids and having my kids coach with me are unique rewards,” Christiansen said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”

Christiansen said he didn’t want to influence the Palmer High administration, but he said he’s happy to see Popowski have the opportunity to be Palmer’s next head coach.

“I think he’ll make a very good head coach,” Christiansen said.

Christiansen said he hopes Popowski can also enjoy a long tenure as head coach.

“It’s really important to have a stable guy, someone that will stay a while,” Christiansen said.

Popowksi, who has served as Palmer’s offensive coordinator, said that stability is a reason why he’s worked as an assistant in the program for the past 12 seasons.

“I’m a pretty loyal, and I really got along with a lot of the people Rod had on staff,” Popowski said.

Popowksi, a native of Brookings, South Dakota, is a former standout offensive tackle at Division I North Dakota State University. Popowski was named first-team All-Great West Football Conference as a junior and a senior. After graduating from NDSU in the spring of 2006, Popowski made the move to Alaska to join his wife, who was living in Eagle River at the time. Popowski said he knew he wanted to coach.

“I’ve known since I was a sophomore in high school I wanted to coach football and be a teacher,” Popowksi said.

So he made calls to head coaches in Southcentral Alaska, looking for a position on a staff.

“I tried to get a hold of a few other schools, but Rod was the only coach who picked up the phone,” Popowski said.

Popowski said he arrived in Palmer just in time for the 2006 season, and he quickly became part of the Palmer football family.

“Some of those guys are still my best friends,” Popowski said of the coaches he’s worked with throughout the years. “They brought me into this community. I don’t ever plan on leaving.”

Popowski said he’s proud to be the coach who has the opportunity to follow Christiansen.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity. (Rod) has built such an amazing program,” Popowski said. “I’m excited to keep that going.”

For more on Christiansen’s illustrious career, see the Sunday edition of the Frontiersman.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontierman.com.