Riley Freeland, born in Montrose, Colorado, currently serves as the Special Teams Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, and Running Backs Coach for the Lyon College football team. Freeland joined the Lyon College football staff in 2022 and quickly made an impact. Prior to joining Lyon College, he served as the Running Back Coach and Social Media Coordinator at Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2021. During his time there, Freeland played a vital role in the team's success, contributing to coaching an offense that had record-breaking achievements in yards per carry, total all-purpose yards, total offensive yards, and touchdowns in a season.
Freeland's coaching journey began in 2019 at Concordia University, Nebraska, where he worked as the Quality Control Coach and later as the Running Back Coach. He had his first all-conference player when Jonah Weyand was named to First Team GPAC honors in 2020. Freeland also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in K12 Physical Education from Concordia University, Nebraska, where he was a Regents Scholarship Awardee. During his time as a student, he also played two years of varsity football, showcasing his passion and dedication to the sport.
Currently residing in Batesville with his wife Rachel, Freeland is fully committed to elevating the Lyon College football program. In his role as Special Teams Coordinator, he brings strategic expertise and leadership to the team, ensuring that they excel in all areas of special teams play. As the Recruiting Coordinator, Freeland has been instrumental in identifying and recruiting top talent for the team, resulting in successful recruiting classes. Freeland recruited and signed 16 athletes in Lyon’s class of 2023
In addition to these responsibilities, Freeland also serves as the Running Backs Coach, where he imparts his knowledge and expertise to the team's running backs. His experience as a former running back himself and his ability to develop players have contributed to the success of Lyon College's running game.
Moreover, Freeland wears the title of Social Media Coordinator, where he has been instrumental in growing the team's presence on various platforms. Under his guidance, Lyon College's football social media accounts have experienced significant growth, with an increased following on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Freeland's skills as an Athletics Graphic Designer have allowed him to create engaging content for recruiting and social media purposes, further enhancing the team's online presence.
Throughout his coaching career, Freeland has consistently proven himself as a talented and innovative coach. His passion for the game, combined with his exceptional recruiting abilities and expertise in special teams and running backs, make him a valuable asset to the Lyon College football program.
