He then enrolled at Pacific Lutheran where he played college football for the Lutes as an offensive and defensive lineman.
[3][4] In 1969, he began his two-year stint with Thomas Jefferson High School as he moved back to Washington as head coach.
For half of his tenure, the school threatened the program with disbandment but ultimately was retained through the end of Christensen's time with the team.
[11] In his lone season with the Loggers, the team went 10–2 and made a trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
[12] After a 4–5 freshman season he led the Plainsmen to a 7–3 record and a share of the Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC) title.
[13] The team also finished undefeated in conference play and ranked twelfth in the NAIA Division II.
[16] He helped lead the team to a back-to-back 5–5 seasons before being hired as the head football coach for Dakota Wesleyan.