Chris Shank is entering into his 3rd Season as the Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach for the Beavers. Additionally, Shank serves as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator and holds certification from CSCS and USA Weight Lifting. Overall, this will be Shank’s 22nd year in coaching with stops at Division 3 and Division 1 programs.

During his tenure at Bluffton, the Offensive Line has grown into a strength. In 2022, the Beavers broke the school record and were ranked 6th in the Nation for fewest sacks allowed. The rushing game has grown by double digits each season, and in 2023 exploded for 3 straight 200 yard games, including a season high 370 vs. Rose Hulman. The Offensive Line also paved the way for two 100 yard rushers against Anderson, marking the first time since 2010 that two Beaver running backs have crossed the century mark. Coach Shank has developed 5 All-HCAC performers in his two seasons at Bluffton including:

- Markus Finley: 1st Team All-HCAC (2023), 2nd Team All-HCAC (2022)

- Nicholas Myers: 2nd Team All-HCAC (2022)

- Qiyone Nelson: 2nd Team All-HCAC (2023), HM All-HCAC (2022)

Shank played his collegiate football at Muskingum College, earning All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors his senior year. After graduating from Muskingum with a bachelor's degree in physical education, he moved on to Heidelberg University where he earned a master's in education while working as a graduate assistant on the football staff. Additionally, Shank’s family has a strong history in college football. His father, Larry, is a long-time coach and administrator with stops at: Capital University, West Liberty State College, Heidelberg University and Muskingum University.

Shank File:

- Defiance College – (3 Seasons) Offensive Line Coach/Recruiting Coordinator

- Muskingum University-(2 Seasons)

    2017: Interim Head Coach,

    2017-2018: Offensive Line Coach

         2018 – Helped Muskies to highest win total since 2011

- University of the South – (7 Seasons) Offensive Line Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator/Strength and Conditioning Coordinator

    Produced 1 All-American and 10 All-Conference performers

- Lehigh University (Division 1 – Patriot League) – Asst. Off. Line and Tight Ends Coach

    2006 Patriot League Champions

Chris Shank is set to enter his 3rd season with the Bluffton University Football Staff. Along with coaching the Offensive Line, Shank develops and implements the Beaver’s Strength and Conditioning Program; while also serving as the Assistant Head Coach.

In his 1st year, his offensive line allowed only six sacks in the 2022 season out of 352 passing attempts and was Sixth best in all of NCAA Division III and also produced two ALL- Heartland Athletic Conference Offensive Lineman with Marcus Finley and Nick Myers. Throughout the course of 2023, Shank’s 2nd Season at Bluffton, the Beaver Offense continued to improve in All Major Offensive Statistics, highlighted by a Season High 372 yard rushing performance against Rose-Hulman and then for the 1st time since 2011 2 Bluffton Running Backs rushed for 100+ yards in the same game against Anderson. 2023 also saw Shank take on the added responsibility of coaching the Running Backs. His 2nd Season at Bluffton Produced 3 All-HCAC Performers, Markus Finley (OL – 1st Team), Q’yione Nelson (OL – 2nd Team) & Kainan Stoner (RB – 2nd Team).

Shank came to Bluffton from arch-rival Defiance College. He served many roles for the Yellow Jackets throughout his three years in Defiance. He served as Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line coach, Recruiting Coordinator, and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator. Coach Shank produced four All-Heartland Conference honorees during his stay with the Yellow Jackets.

Coach Shank went to Defiance College from Muskingum University, where he served as the Offensive Line Coach. During the 2018 season, Shank helped the Muskies improve to a 4 – 6 overall record on the season. The 4-6 record marked the highest win total for the program wince 2011. He also served as Interim Head Coach during the program’s transition in the spring of 2017. In his two years at Muskingum, he produced two All-Ohio Athletic Conference offensive lineman.

Before his time at Muskingum University, Shank spent seven years at the University of the South (Sewanee), serving as Defensive Line Coach during his first year, Offensive Line Coach, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, and Co-Offensive Coordinator. While with the Tigers, Shank produced 10 All-Conference players and one All-American. He also helped 3 Offensive Linemen become College Football Hall of Fame and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes. The Tigers were one of the top rushing teams in Division III. In 2013 the Tigers led the SAA Conference in rushing and time of possession. In 2012, Shank led the Tigers front five to one of its most productive seasons in school history. The Tigers led the SAA in rushing and allowed the fewest sacks in the league. In 2011, the offensive line paved the way for the second-best rushing attack in the league. After averaging only 131.1 per contest in2010, the Tigers improved to 231.5 yards per contest and allowed the fewest sacks in the league.

Prior to his stint with the Sewanee Tigers, Coach Shank was an Assistant Coach at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA for four seasons. There he served as the Assistant Offensive Line and Tight Ends coach, as well as the team’s video coordinator. He helped coach six All-Conference players. Shank was also a part of the staff at Lehigh University which won the Patriot League Championship in 2006.

Prior to joining the staff at Lehigh, Shank coached at Heidelberg University, where he served as a graduate assistant coaching the defensive line. In 2005, Shank earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Heidelberg University.

Shank played his collegiate football at Muskingum University, earning All-Conference honors his senior year as a tight end. He was also honored as a College Football Hall of Fame and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete in 2003 by the Central Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He earned his BA degree in Health and Physical Education in 2003.