Garden City Names Tony Koehling 25th Head Football Coach in Program History

Winning has followed Tony Koehling wherever he's been. 

After helping guide national championship programs and some of the NJCAA's most prolific offenses, Garden City Community College Athletics has named Koehling the 25th head football coach in the history of Broncbuster football during a press conference Thursday morning in the Hall of Fame Room. 

Koehling arrives in Garden City following a championship run as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Hutchinson Community College and brings coaching experience across the junior college, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I levels.

"Tony has been part of championship programs and has consistently developed productive offenses and strong offensive lines," said Garden City Community College Director of Athletics Mike Pilosof. "His emphasis on player development made him a strong fit to lead our program."

Koehling joined Hutchinson's staff in 2023 as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach and helped guide the Blue Dragons to the 2024 NJCAA National Championship. In his first season with the program, Hutchinson produced one of the most productive offenses in the NJCAA. The Blue Dragons ranked third nationally in scoring offense at 37.6 points per game while averaging 377.9 yards per contest. Hutchinson finished fifth in the nation in rushing offense at 225.3 yards per game and completed a 10-1 season that included a Jayhawk Conference championship and an appearance in the NJCAA National Playoff semifinals.

"Broncbuster football has a proud tradition at Garden City Community College," College President Dr. Ruda said. "Coach Koehling's background in developing student-athletes and competing at a championship level aligns with the expectations we have for our program."

Several Hutchinson players earned major honors under Koehling's leadership. Quarterback Samari Collier was named the Jayhawk Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year, while running back Tyrell Reed Jr. and offensive lineman Jayven Richardson earned NJCAA Second Team All-America recognition. The Blue Dragons placed 14 players on the all-conference team that season.

"Tony has built a reputation as an outstanding offensive mind and recruiter," said Colin Lamb, Vice President for Student Services and Athletics. "His experience in the Jayhawk Conference and across the Midwest recruiting landscape will be valuable as we continue building the future of Broncbuster football."

Prior to Hutchinson, Koehling spent three seasons at Iowa Western Community College as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. During that stretch, the Reivers compiled a 7-1 record in the COVID-affected 2020-21 season and finished No. 4 in the final NJCAA rankings. Iowa Western advanced to the NJCAA national championship game in 2021 before capturing the NJCAA national title in 2022.

Before Iowa Western, Koehling spent five seasons at Emporia State University as run-game coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach. The Hornets reached the postseason three times during that span, including two NCAA Division II playoff appearances. In 2015, Emporia State defeated Henderson State in the second round of the NCAA playoffs while rushing for 268 yards. In 2018, the Hornets featured the MIAA's only 1,000-yard rusher behind Koehling's offensive line.

"I'm incredibly honored to be the Head Football Coach at Garden City Community College, Koehling said. "There aren't a lot of programs that have had the type of success that this one has had, especially over the last 10 years. This is not a rebuild, it's a rebrand. We have the tools to win here now, but it's up to us to get things done between now and August."

Koehling began his collegiate coaching career at Ohio University, where he spent three seasons as an offensive graduate assistant working with the offensive line and special teams. During his time there, Ohio played in the Independence Bowl and the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl. Prior to that, he worked with the freshman offensive line at Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky.

Koehling played on the offensive line at Thomas More College, helping the Saints reach the NCAA Division III playoffs following an undefeated regular season and conference championship in 2009.

A graduate of Ohio University, Koehling earned a bachelor's degree in specialized studies with concentrations in sports management and sociology and a minor in political science. He later completed a master's degree in Recreation and Sports Sciences with an emphasis in Coaching Education.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Koehling is a graduate of Roger Bacon High School. He and his wife, Andrea, have one son, Anthony.