Briar Cliff University Announces Rethman As Head Football Coach

Briar Cliff University (Iowa) director of athletics Steve Gast announced Friday (Jan. 25) that Tom Rethman has been hired as the school's next head football coach.

"We are extremely excited to announce the latest addition to our Briar Cliff University coaching family," said Gast. "We believe Tom has both the experience and energy to help our football program take the next step."

Rethman has ample collegiate coaching experience at various levels. He has coached at NCAA Division I-AA schools Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University and NCAA Division III schools Knox College (Ill.), Carroll College (Wis.) and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UW-Oshkosh).

Rethman comes to Briar Cliff University from UW-Oshkosh, where he served as the school's offensive coordinator from 2001-07. In 2007, Rethman's UW-Oshkosh offense led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in fewest turnovers, while ranking second in rushing offense and passing efficiency. The Titans were third in total offense and averaged 28.2 points per game.

Prior to coaching at UW-Oshkosh, Rethman was the offensive coordinator at Carroll College for two years. In just one season, he helped the Pioneers' team improve from last in the Midwest Conference in total offense and scoring offense to third in both categories.

Rethman is a 1992 graduate of Knox College, where he earned his undergraduate degree in history and was a four-time letterwinner at defensive back. He then spent one season at Knox College as an assistant coach, overseeing the wide receivers and tight ends.

Rethman then served as a graduate assistant football coach at Southern Illinois University for a year before completing his graduate studies at Illinois State University. At Southern Illinois University, Rethman worked with the defensive backs and outside linebackers, while at Illinois State University, he coached the tight ends, offensive line, kickers and punters for two seasons.

After earning his master's degree from Illinois State University in 1996, Rethman returned to his Knox College, where he served as offensive coordinator for three years. He also coached the quarterbacks, kickers and punters.

Rethman and his wife, Michelle, have four children; daughters, Devin, Tara and Jenna, and son, Garrett.

Rethman replaces Dick Strittmatter as head football coach at Briar Cliff University. Strittmatter resigned this past November after coaching the Chargers for six seasons. Last fall, Briar Cliff University concluded its fifth varsity football season with an 0-11 record. In five seasons, the Chargers have produced a combined record of 12-41. Their best campaign was a 5-6 mark in 2006.

"My family and I are excited about the opportunity to come to Briar Cliff University," said Rethman. "I have a great appreciation for the mission of Briar Cliff University and the type of students that attend the school. "I look forward to getting to work and moving the football program forward. I see a great deal of promise in what we can accomplish in the future."

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 26 states, Canada, Bosnia and Ecuador. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and prepared for professional success in an environment of care and compassion for the community.