To fill the lone vacancy on the Hillsdale College football coaching staff, first-year head coach Nate Shreffler has landed a Michigan native with an impressive resume for a coach just two years removed from his collegiate playing days.
Earlier this week, the Chargers finalized the hiring of Jack Bush as its new Running Backs Coach, completing Hillsdale's coaching staff for the 2024 season ahead of spring practice beginning in mid-March.
Bush comes to Hillsdale after spending two seasons as a coach at the NCAA DI level, first as a Volunteer Offensive Quality Control and Assistant Tight Ends Coach at Northwestern University in 2022, followed by a year as an Offensive Graduate Assistant at Central Michigan University in 2023. On top of working with players, his duties with the two programs included working with Visio to build virtual playbooks and scout cards, as well as data entry and player evaluation on XOS/Catapult video platforms and Pro Football Focus.
Prior to his work at the NCAA DI level, Bush also spent a year as quarterbacks coach at his Alma Mater, Chelsea High School, in 2018, helping guide the Bulldogs to the MHSAA Division 4 state final and developing an All-State quarterback.
"Jack was someone that caught our eye immediately in the process as someone with a level of experience that's rare for someone so young in his coaching career," Shreffler said. "Not only has he worked with multiple Division I programs, but all of his references at both Northwestern and CMU spoke very highly of his character, work ethic, understanding of the game and coaching ability.
"He's someone who has a deep background in football. His father was an extremely successful high school and college football coach, so he's been around the game his whole life, and you can tell how passionate he is about it. As a player, Jack was a leader and a winner everywhere he went, and as a coach, he brings that same leadership and mindset to his work with his players. We're very excited to have him as a part of the staff."
Bush graduated with a bachelor's degree in Finance from Albion College in December 2021. A four-year starting quarterback for the Britons, Bush guided the Albions to two MIAA championships and a 22-1 record as a starter while completing 64 percent (422 of 657) of his passes and throwing for 5,651 yards and 56 touchdowns in 27 career games played. He also rushed for two touchdowns.
Bush was named the 2021 MIAA Offensive Most Valuable Player after he led the Britons to a 9-2 overall record, 5-1 league record and threw for 27 touchdowns and 2,228 yards, completed 65 percent (164-253) of his passes and averaged 247.6 yards passing per game. He was a three-time All-MIAA quarterback, two-year team captain, and also served on Albion's Leadership Council for four years.
During his prep career at Chelsea, Bush was a three-year starter who led the Bulldogs to three district titles in football and runner-up honors at the 2015 MHSAA Division 3 state finals. A three-sport athlete at Chelsea, Bush also led the Bulldogs to district titles in basketball and baseball.
"I'm very excited to get the opportunity to coach at Hillsdale, and grateful to get the chance to be part of the great tradition of excellence here," Bush said. "I really respect the institution and the high standards the program has for its athletes, not just on the playing field, but in the classroom and in the community."
Photo Courtesy of CMU Athletics