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02/01/2012
Segment 10
Interview with offensive coordinator Eric Koehler. Highlights of Jeremy Byers, Troy Sassack, Nate Cole, and Urston Smith.
Eric Koehler enters his fourth season on the Laker coaching staff and his second as the Laker offensive coordinator. In addition to directing the Laker offense, Koehler will coach the quarterbacks. Prior to arriving at GVSU, Koehler spent six years at Wartburg (Iowa) University, including the final two years as head coach.
A promoter of a balanced offensive attack, Koehler guided an offense that averaged 216.3 yards per game rushing and 221.3 yards per game passing in 2010. In addition, the Lakers averaged 6.7 yards per play, 437.6 yards per game and 36.1 yards per game in his first season running the offense with a first-year quarterback.
Koehler was a key contributor to a GVSU offense that ranked ninth nationally in rushing (237.3 ypg), 11th in total offense (455.1 ypg) and 12th in scoring (36.8 ppg) in 2009. In addition, the Laker offense ranked among the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference leaders in virtually every offensive category. Koehler tutored quarterback Brad Iciek during the 2008 and 2009 campaigns, helping the Laker signal caller earn First-Team All-GLIAC plaudits and GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year honors in 2009. In addition, GVSU is 24-3 since Koehler joined the staff.
Eric tutored 2008 GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year in running back James Berezik, as well as All-GLIAC performers Blake Smolen and P.T. Gates. The Lakers ranked 10th in the nation in scoring (38.5 ppg), 13th in sacks allowed (1.08), 14th in rushing (228.4) and 25th in total offense (429.0). GVSU also ranked among the league leaders in virtually ever offensive category.
Koehler led Wartburg to a 16-4 overall mark in his two years at the helm, including a 13-3 mark in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Knights were 8-2 in 2007 and ranked as high as number 10 in the 2007 American Football Coaches Association DIII poll during the season. Wartburg finished second in DIII in scoring defense (8.5 ppg), 10th in total defense (248.0) and 15th in rushing defense (86.0 ypg) in 2007. Offensively, Wartburg averaged 27.5 points and 385.5 yards of total offense per game. Wartburg also finished 8-2 under Koehler in 2006. Including his tenure as an assistant, Wartburg was 52-13 overall with three NCAA DIII playoff appearances. Wartburg ranked among the leaders in every offensive category with Koehler directing the offense. His 2002 and 2003 offensive units led the IIAA in total offense and scoring offense. In addition, the Wartburg offense ranked among the national leaders in DIII in both rushing and passing.
Eric and his wife, Heidi, reside in Jenison.
