March 12, 2025

Bethlehem Academy is pleased to announce the hiring Mr. Christian Harmeyer as our new Head Football Coach. Harmeyer replaces Mr. Jim Beckmann, who resigned his position earlier this spring after 14 years coaching at Bethlehem Academy, the last six as head coach.

Mr. Harmeyer is a physical education and health teacher at Faribault High School. Harmeyer played collegiately on the offensive line at Minnesota State-Mankato where he was team captain and recognized as a two-time First-Team All-Conference and All-American. After college, he briefly played arena football for the Spokane Shock. Harmeyer coached at Nicollet for eight years, three years as their head coach. He also coached at Cleveland, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, and Faribault High School and has experience coaching nine-man football. In addition to football, Harmeyer has also coached track & field, baseball, and basketball (including a stint at Gustavus Adolphus).

Coach Harmeyer lives in Le Center with his wife Carolyn and two active daughters. In addition to teaching and coaching were not enough, Mr. Harmeyer is the mayor of LeCenter!

“We are excited to welcome Coach Harmeyer to Cardinal Country,” said Athletic Director Ed Friesen. “His background and experience are a perfect fit for our program, and we are confident he will carry on the proud tradition of Bethlehem Academy football.”

Bethlehem Academy is planning to play 9-man football for the next 2 years. The MSHSL is currently in the process of reclassifying all schools in the state for the next 2 years. Bethlehem Academy’s current grades 9-12 and grades 8-11 enrollments place us in the 9-man classification.

Please welcome Coach Harmeyer to Cardinal Country!