A new face is joining the Hillsdale College football coaching staff for the upcoming 2022 season.
Riley Deckard, a young up-and-coming coach who's worked in several places across the Midwest, was hired by Hillsdale College in January of 2022, and will serve as the linebackers coach for the Chargers.
"We performed a thorough search to add to our staff this offseason, and throughout the process Riley was highly recommended over and over again by several people that we know and trust," Charger head coach Keith Otterbein said. "As a young coach, his work ethic, attention to detail and high level of character really stand out.
"Throughout his coaching career, Riley is someone who's made every team he's a part of better, and he fits in well with our coaching staff and our program. We're excited by what he adds to our program and looking forward to the coming season with him on board."
Deckard comes to Hillsdale from NCAA Division I Ball State University, where he served as a graduate assistant for the Cardinals for a two-year stint that saw Ball State make two bowl games and capture the 2020 Mid-American Conference title. During his time with the Cardinals, Deckard worked with the defensive line and special teams, helping to coach first-team All-MAC kick returner Justin Hall, and second-team All-MAC punter Nathan Snyder.
"I'm excited and grateful to get this opportunity at Hillsdale, and to work at a storied program that has a long and rich tradition in the sport," Deckard said. "It's amazing to get the chance to be a part of this staff, with so many experienced and decorated coaches, and I'm really looking forward to working with a great group of young men this spring and fall."
While Deckard has coached virtually every position on the defensive side of the ball in the last five years, taking over the linebackers is a return to his roots in football. From 2013 to 2016, Deckard was a four-year letter-winner and a three-year starter at linebacker for NCAA DIII Hanover College in Indiana, serving as a team captain as a senior and earning the Dutch Struck Mental Attitude Award from the school for his performance during that season as well.
After his playing career ended, Deckard spent a year as a student assistant at Hanover, graduating from the school with a B.A. in History and a minor in Communications in 2017. He then spent a season interning at NAIA Thomas More University in Kentucky, working as an assistant linebackers coach for a 6-4 squad and also serving as the defensive coordinator for the Saints JV team.
Deckard's successful tenure at Thomas More helped him land a graduate assistant position with the University of Indianapolis, a Division II program, in 2018, coaching the program's outside linebackers for a year and then the safeties in his second season in 2019. During his time with the Greyhounds, UIndy won 19 games, made the NCAA DII playoffs in both his seasons with the program, and won the 2018 Great Lakes Valley Conference title. Deckard also personally coached three players who received All-GLVC honors during his time at UIndy, including 2019 first-team All-GLVC safety Loren Strickland.
An Indianapolis native who graduated from Cardinal Ritter High School in 2013, Deckard played on the Raiders' 2012 IHSAA Class 2A state runner-up team during his prep career.