Ryan Maiuri, a former standout Division III quarterback with coaching experience at multiple levels, was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Central College football team.

He replaces Reid Evans, a Central assistant for 14 seasons, who left in January for a position in private business in Pella.

Maiuri (my-EER-ee) spent the past three seasons as a graduate assistant football coach at the University of Minnesota, working with quarterbacks and wide receivers. He is a 2006 Lakeland College (Wis.) graduate, receiving Illini-Badger Conference player of the year honors in 2005 and leading the Muskies to their first-ever NCAA Division III playoff berth. He was the league's offensive player of the year in 2004.

Returning to Lakeland in 2007, Maiuri spent two seasons as the football strength and conditioning coordinator and graduate assistant coach for defensive backs. In 2010, he was assistant coach for tight ends at Division II Winona State University (Minn.) before joining the staff of Adrian College (Mich.) in 2011 as quarterbacks coach and junior varsity offensive coordinator.

He earned a master's degree in counseling from Lakeland in 2008 and a master's in kinesiology at Minnesota in 2014.

"We're excited to have him on our staff," said Dutch coach Jeff McMartin. "He's got a lot of experience working with quarterbacks and played the position at a high level. He's coached at every NCAA level and has a lot of experience with recruiting."

McMartin said the transition should be smooth.

"Minnesota's offense is similar to ours," he said. "He speaks some of the same language already."

McMartin lauded Evans for his many contributions. A two-time all-Iowa Conference offensive lineman for the Dutch and a third-team Hewlett-Packard All-America choice, Evans graduated from Central in 2001 and played professionally in Germany for a year before returning. He was a part of eight league championship teams as a player and coach at Central.

"Reid was a tremendously loyal assistant coach," McMartin said. "He really grew during his time in our program from a position coach to coordinator. He made a real positive impact on our coaching staff and players and really helped elevate a lot of what we do."

The search to replace Evans was lengthy, but also thorough.

"Every search is different," McMartin said. "Sometimes it goes quickly and other times it takes longer. But it's important that you do your due diligence. You need to find someone who will make your program better and who will help our athletes be the best they can be."

A coaching colleague helped McMartin identify Maiuri as an ideal candidate. Jeff Phelps, defensive line coach at Minnesota, coached with McMartin when both were assistants at DePauw University (Ind.).

"He knows me and he knows the things we value at Central," McMartin said. "He thought Ryan would be a good fit."

McMartin also received a strong endorsement of Maiuri from Gophers head coach Jerry Kill.

Maiuri will create strong connections with players and recruits, McMartin said.
            "He works hard at developing relationships," he said. "He has a passion for it. He understands recruiting is not an 8-5 job, it's something you have to work at every day. He's got a very strong work ethic."

Maiuri is expected to be on campus this weekend and begin work immediately as the Dutch staff continues its recruiting efforts and prepares for spring practices. Central, coming off an 8-2 season, gets a head start on the 2015 campaign with a trip to Italy in late May.