March 30, 2006
Release courtesy of Tim Calderwood, Loras College sports information director

DUBUQUE, IOWA . . . Loras College athletic director Chad Walthall today announced that Steve Osterberger has accepted the position of head football coach at the college.

Osterberger, a native of Dubuque, has been the head coach at Buena Vista University the past six seasons, posting winning seasons in five of the years. He was named the 2004 Iowa Conference Coach of the Year after finishing 6-4.

“Steve is a great fit for Loras College,” Walthall said. “He has head coaching and Iowa Conference experience and has a reputation of someone with very high character and integrity. He is a talented recruiter and good football mind, and could be someone that can bring longevity to the program.”

Osterberger leaves Buena Vista as the third winningest coach in school history. He spent 10 years in Storm Lake beginning in 1996 when he was named as the offensive coordinator. Counting his time as an assistant, Osterberger’s Buena Vista teams went 7-3 against Loras including this season’s 14-0 win in Storm Lake.

“I am extremely excited to join the staff at Loras College,” Osterberger said. “It is a great opportunity at a great institution and the chance to go back to Dubuque has always intrigued me. I think it is one of the best jobs in the conference and Loras has always been very talented. Chris (Klieman) and Bob (Bierie) did a great job and I want to continue what they’ve started.”

In addition to his coaching accomplishments at Buena Vista, Osterberger helped institute several community initiatives. He managed the Rockin’ Reader Program in Storm Lake grade schools, implemented the Adopt-a-Highway, and organized a Halloween Trick-or- Treat night for the football team.

Osterberger graduated from Drake University with a degree in sociology. He spent four years as a starting quarterback for the Bulldogs and set 20 offensive records including net passing yardage with over 7,000 yards. He earned the Jerry Howlett Memorial Award for Outstanding Athlete at Drake University in 1989.

Osterberger has a diverse coaching career that began at his alma mater where he was a student assistant working with quarterbacks and running backs. He also spent two years as a graduate assistant with the Bulldogs coaching the inside linebackers. He also served a stint at Simpson College coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers.

Osterberger becomes the 26th coach in Loras history as he takes over for Chris Klieman, who resigned last week to take a job on Mark Farley’s staff at the University of Northern Iowa. Osterberger’s Duhawks will debut in the Rock Bowl on September 2 against St. Ambrose University.

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