In 22 seasons as an assistant coach with the Hillsdale College football team, Nate Shreffler has accomplished a great deal.
On Tuesday, however, Shreffler accomplished a first, not just for himself, but for the Hillsdale College program.
Shreffler was named the NCAA DII recipient of the American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year award for 2022, the first time a Hillsdale College football coach has received the honor.
The Assistant Coach of the Year award is designed to honor assistant coaches that excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement. The AFCA first handed out the award in 1997, and presents it annually to one assistant coach in each NCAA Division as well as the NAIA who are nominated by their program and are selected from a pool of nominees.
"Once again, five outstanding assistant coaches have been selected for their dedication, not only to their teams, but to their communities," said AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry in a press release announcing the winners. "Oftentimes, the head coach receives much of the credit for his team's success, but any head coach is only as good as his assistants. Much of an assistant coach's work is done behind the scenes. It is our pleasure to bring it to the forefront."
Shreffler, a starting offensive lineman for multiple seasons at Hillsdale in the early 90s, joined the Chargers coaching staff as an offensive line coach before the 2001 season, after two years at Olivet College and a year at the University of St. Francis (IN) in the same position.
During his time with the offensive line, Shreffler recruited and developed several standout players, led by 2009 graduate Jared Veldheer, an All-American and NFL Draft pick who went on to play professional football for over a decade with the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, among others. In his work with the offensive line, Shreffler has coached 21 first team All-Conference players and three All-Americans.
In 2010, Shreffler was elevated to the offensive coordinator role, and in the last 13 seasons has overseen some of the best offenses Hillsdale College has ever produced. Hillsdale's all-time leader in virtually every offensive category played under Shreffler during that time, including the program's all-time leading passer, rusher and receiver.
Hillsdale also has made two NCAA DII Playoff appearances and won three conference titles during Shreffler's tenure as offensive coordinator.
While Shreffler has been an important leader on the field, he's also made a huge impact off it in the Hillsdale community. Shreffler is the head of several of the Hillsdale College football team's charitable efforts, including the Chargers' volunteer tutoring program in reading and math at local elementary schools, as well as Hillsdale's "Guys With Ties" program, where 10 football players work with 30 fourth graders in the area to promote leadership, integrity, kindness, gratitude, manners and sportsmanship.
As well as taking charge of those two programs, Shreffler also plays an important role in Hillsdale's Victory Day program, which gives local children with special needs a full game day experience that includes an opportunity to play football, cheerlead, or march in the band, as well as Hillsdale College's Youth Football Camp which donates all of its proceeds to the Jason Foundation to help prevent youth suicides.
Along with Shreffler, Mike Tressel from the University of Cincinnati was the FBS honoree, Chris Kappas of Austin Peay State was the FCS honoree, Joe Gerbino of Utica University was the DIII honoree, and George Papageorgiou of Benedictine College was the NAIA honoree.
Winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award will receive a plaque to commemorate their recognition. They will be honored at the AFCA Honors Luncheon, held Monday, January 9, during the 2023 AFCA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan