Hillsdale College Athletic Department story

Nate Shreffler

(1-10-24) Celina graduate Nate Shreffler will take charge of the Hillsdale College football program (NCAA D II) this fall. He replaces longtime coach Keith Otterbein who is retiring after 22 years as the Chargers Head Coach.

Like Otterbein, Shreffler is a former player and Hillsdale alumnus who spent four seasons in the early 90s playing on the offensive line under Dick Lowry and helping pave the way for Chargers success.

After graduation in 1993, Shreffler spent a short time coaching at other institutions before returning to Hillsdale in 1998 as a part of then coach Dave Dye’s staff, and he’s been at Hillsdale ever since, first as an offensive line coach and then, for the last 13 seasons, as an offensive coordinator, excelling in both positions.

As an offensive line coach, Shreffler recruited and helped develop multiple All-Americans, including NFL Draft Pick Jared Veldheer. After taking over as Offensive Coordinator, Shreffler guided an attack that has broken nearly offensive record at Hillsdale over the last decade, with Hillsdale’s all-time leading passer (Chance Stewart), rusher (Joe Glendening) and receiver (Trey Brock) playing under Shreffler’s guidance.

He’s also shown an ability to adapt to his personnel, pivoting Hillsdale from a high-flying passing attack earlier in the decade to an old-school run-heavy offense the last couple of seasons with great success in both areas. He was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2022, among many career accolades.

,Tharp said-

“Nate is a Hillsdale College guy, first and foremost. He’s someone who understands this program and the culture that’s been established here through and through.

“He’s an extremely high-character coach, and someone who’s both had success here throughout his tenure and knows what it takes for this program to be successful. He’s a perfect fit to build on what’s already been established and keep moving this program forward into future success.”

For Shreffler, the head coaching job is the culmination of a career spent in service of Hillsdale College and the Hillsdale College football program.

“To get this opportunity wasn’t something I expected, but in a lot of ways it’s something I’ve been preparing for my whole life, and I’m so humbled and grateful to be in this position. For the last 25 years, this hasn’t been a job for me, but a passion and a mission.

“This place has always been home for me, and I want our home to be the best looking-house on the block in every way it possibly can be. That’s going to be the focus of our program moving forward.”