Clay Anderson is a 1982 graduate of Northfield H.S. and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Studies from St. Olaf College in 1986, and his Masters in Education from St. Mary’s University in 2008. He began his coaching career in Northfield as a junior high coach in 1987. From 1989-1996 he was defensive coordinator for Northfield H.S. Anderson has had 26 seasons as a head coach: Le Center (1997-1999), Norwood-Young America (2000-2004), Albert Lea (2005-2010), Benton Community, Iowa (2011-2013), Pipestone (2015-2019), and Kimball Area (2020-present). Anderson has coached in seven state championship football games: three as defensive coordinator at Northfield H.S. (1993, 1994, and 1996), and four as a head coach (1999 – Le Center), (2002 – NYA), and (2015 and 2017 – Pipestone). He has twice been selected as the Class “AA” Coach of the Year in Minnesota (2002 – NYA, and 2017 – Pipestone). Anderson has been a frequent clinic presenter in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. He has also been an activities director for 23 years.
This past fall was Clay’s 37th year in coaching, and during that time he has filled many roles within the MFCA, including serving on the executive committee, being the chairman of the Mr. Football committee from 2004-2011 and 2019-present, served on the Football Advisory Committee to the MSHSL, coached in the All-Star game in 2000 and 2011, and was the President of the MFCA in 2006.
Anderson is currently the activities director and head football coach at Kimball Area High School. He is married to Melissa Radeke (superintendent, Lester Prairie Schools) and they live in Dassel. He has one daughter, Kalah (and Bryan), and one granddaughter, Lily. Anderson also has three step-children, Hona (and Kevin), Maddie (and Luke), and Cooper (and Catie), and five step-grandchildren (Soren, Kathryn, Elizabeth, Pax, and Margaret).
Submitted by Carly Serbus