A key component in Central College’s record-setting 2021 football campaign is returning to the Dutch this fall, but as a member of the coaching staff.

Tanner Schminke, who received first-team Division III All-American honors from the Associated Press and D3fooball.com as a wide receiver, is joining the staff as an assistant coach working with defensive ends.

Schminke, a Boone, Iowa native and 2021 Central graduate, served as head boys and girls golf coach at Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School last spring and since March was also the golf course superintendent at Oakleaf Country Club in Reinbeck.

At Central, Schminke was a part of two American Rivers championship clubs and helped the Dutch post a 12-1 record last fall, reaching the NCAA Division III quarterfinals and finishing with a No. 6 ranking. He led Division III in touchdown receptions (19) and receiving yards (1,536), ranked fifth in receiving yards per game (118.2), 11th in scoring (114 points) and 16th in receptions per game (7.2). His last-second TD reception gave Central a 30-28 walk-off NCAA second-round playoff triumph over Wheaton College (Ill.).

Schminke set school season records for most receiving yards and touchdown receptions and ranks second in receiving yards in a game (255), season (19) and career (29). He ranks third in career pass receptions (163) and fourth in career receiving yards (2,491).

A 2021 first-team all-conference pick, Schminke was twice named to the D3football.com Team of the Week last fall.