Two long-time assistants for the Hillsdale College football team will enter the 2022 season with new, expanded roles as the Chargers made changes to their coaching staff in January.
Steve Otterbein, a 13-year veteran on the staff and previously the special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach, will take over as Hillsdale's defensive coordinator. In taking the new role, Otterbein steps into the position previously held by a long-time friend and mentor, Craig Blanchard, who tragically passed away this winter.
Safeties coach Nick Galvan, entering his sixth season as a coach with the Chargers, will take on the duty of special teams coordinator in Otterbein's place. Otterbein will remain the cornerbacks coach and Galvan the safeties coach alongside their new coordinator roles.
While the titles are new for both coaches, the responsibilities are not. Otterbein served as the primary defensive playcaller for the Chargers in the 2021 season, while Galvan took on additional responsibilities as well. That both were successful handling the additional workload was a major reason for Hillsdale College head coach Keith Otterbein's decision to give both of them new titles and the full-time responsibility that comes with them.
"Our coaches were put in a tough situation on the defensive side of the ball this season and all three of them jumped in and did an outstanding job in difficult circumstances," Keith Otterbein said. "I think Steve and Nick in particular really proved that they have what it takes to succeed in these roles and that the time was right for both of them to get the opportunity.
"They've been involved in coaching defense and special teams for years, they've worked hard and put in the time and effort to grow and improve as coaches, and when they were thrown into the fire, they stepped up and met the challenge. We have full confidence in their abilities and look forward to seeing them continue to excel in these new roles."
Both Steve Otterbein and Nick Galvan have long histories with Hillsdale College football, dating back to their time as players for the Chargers. The son of Keith Otterbein, Steve played for his father at Hillsdale from 2003 to 2007, appearing in 37 games as a defensive back and special teams ace.
Post-graduation, Steve spent three years as a graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan University before returning to Hillsdale in 2010, first as the wide receivers coach before moving to the defensive side of the ball in 2017 and adding special teams duties.
In his first foray into calling plays in 2021, Steve led a defensive unit that was a strength for the Chargers in a 6-6 season, recording a NCAA Division II-leading 20 interceptions in the regular season and producing an All-American, senior defensive lineman Nate Chambers, as well as two additional all-region players in seniors Alex Anschutz and Zach Herzog.
Galvan, meanwhile, was a safety for the Chargers from 2009 to 2012, overcoming injuries to win Hillsdale's Outstanding Defensive Back award as a senior.
After graduation, Galvan coached in his hometown at Adrian Madison High School for the 2013 season, then took a job as the defensive backs coach at nearby Olivet College, helping the team win two MIAA titles and make the NCAA Division III playoffs.
He returned to his alma mater for the 2017 season as the safeties coach, helping to develop two All-Americans at Hillsdale in Wyatt Batdorff and Drake Temple during his tenure.
The two promotions, along with the hiring of Riley Deckard to be the program's new linebackers coach, complete Hillsdale College's staff for the upcoming 2022 season. The Chargers will begin spring practice in early February, looking to build toward another successful campaign in the G-MAC this fall.