Shank named Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for Muskingum Football

Muskingum Football Head Coach Matt Nardo has named Chris Shank '03 as the Muskies' assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.

Coach Shank arrives home at Muskingum after serving as assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Bluffton University. He helped develop one of the top offensive lines in NCAA Division III, ranking sixth in the fewest sacks allowed. The unit also paved the way for a significant increase in rushing yards per game. The offense also saw improvements in multiple categories in points per game, most yards per game, most passing yards per game, and the highest red zone touchdown scoring percentage since 2017.

Prior to Bluffton, Shank served in multiple roles at Defiance College, including assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, and strength & conditioning coordinator. During his tenure, he produced multiple All-Heartland Conference honorees.

Shank was the offensive line coach at Muskingum from 2017-19. In 2018, he helped the Muskies achieve their best record since 2011. He also served as interim head coach after the 2017 season through spring 2018. Under his tutelage, two offensive linemen earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors.

Shank's journey includes seven years at the University of the South (Sewanee), where he held multiple roles, including defensive line coach, offensive line coach, strength & conditioning coordinator, and co-offensive coordinator. He produced 10 All-Conference players and one All-American and helped three offensive linemen become College Football Hall of Fame and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes. The Tigers were a top rushing team in Division III, leading the SAA Conference in rushing and time of possession in 2013.

Before Sewanee, Shank was an assistant coach at Lehigh University, where he coached six All-Conference players and was part of the staff that won the Patriot League Championship in 2006.

Shank began his coaching career at Heidelberg University as a graduate assistant coaching the defensive line. He earned his Master's Degree in education from Heidelberg in 2005.

As a player, Shank was an All-Conference tight end at Muskingum and was honored as a College Football Hall of Fame and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete in 2003. He holds a BA in health and physical education from Muskingum.