Reisert resigns from TU, heads to Gardner-Webb

Cris Reisert has resigned as head football coach at Tiffin University and will become the new head football coach at Division I Football Championship Subdivision Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina, according to a press release from the college.A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately."We are so excited for Coach Reisert and his family and this opportunity at Gardner-Webb," Tiffin University President Dr. Lillian Schumacher said. "We are extremely proud of the progress we made under his direction at Tiffin University, not only as a coach but as an exemplary athletic leader. We wish him continued success and nothing but the absolute best. Tiffin University will do its due diligence to find the next leader for our football program and have no doubt our football success will continue."Reisert recently completed his fifth season and leaves Tiffin as the winningest coach in program history. He recently led the Dragons to the best football season in Tiffin history. An AFCA 35 under 35 member, Reisert has a career mark of 40-11 over five seasons, with one being shortened due to COVID-19.During his tenure, Reisert has been named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year three times, and claimed G-MAC titles in 2019, '20 and '23 — the first three in school history in the Division II era."It has been a true honor to serve as the head football coach at Tiffin University over the last five seasons," Reisert said. "Thank you to our players and coaches. They wholeheartedly bought into and invested in our program. Their effort, commitment and "No Flinch" mentality is something I'll be forever grateful for. I am forever indebted to President Schumacher, (Athletic Director) Kelly Daniel and Lonny Allen for the opportunity to serve the Tiffin community. The future of Tiffin University and the football program is bright, and I'm proud to have played a small part in it."The 2023 season boasted multiple school, conference and national records including top-10 national rankings in 16 different statistical categories, an 11-1 record, a conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Dragons' third conference championship in just five years is a feat no other team in the G-MAC has come close to accomplishing; no other school has claimed it more than once.Both trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs (2019 and '23) came during Reisert's tenure, with the Dragons earning a No. 1 seed and a first-round bye this year.The Dragons finished the regular season ranked ninth in Division II, the highest ranking in school history.In 2023, Tiffin's offense was among the best in the country, ranking fourth in DII in total offense (482.9 ypg) and sixth in scoring offense (43.7 ppg). The rushing attack was fifth nationally at 255 yards per game while also setting the school record for rushing yards in a season using four different backs.Tiffin's defense was also nationally dominant, ranking 12th in DII in scoring defense at 16.25 points per game, and first nationally in turnovers gained. As a team, Tiffin was second nationally in Division II in turnover margin with 20.