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University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire athletics director Dan Schumacher has announced the hiring of Wesley Beschorner as the head football coach. Beschorner, who had been the quarterbacks coach at the University of Maryland, becomes the 17th coach in school history.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Beschorner to our staff and his family to the community," said Schumacher. "His experience as a player and a coach at the Division II and Division I level will lend itself well to our program as we continue to build on the program's recent success."
Beschorner replaces Dan Larson, who Schumacher announced in January had taken a job at Division I FCS power North Dakota State. The Blugolds were 4-6 this past season.
At Maryland, the Terrapin offense ranked second in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns, number three in rushing offense and saw five players earn All-Big Ten honors last season.
Beschorner is a former standout at South Dakota who went from offensive scout team MVP to being a Harlon Hill finalist his senior season – an award given to the top player in NCAA Division II. As the Coyotes signal-caller, Beschorner led South Dakota to a North Central Conference title in 2005. That season, he also earned First Team All-American honors and led Division II in passing efficiency. Beschorner re-wrote the record books during his four-year career, setting 33 program records. For his efforts, he was inducted into South Dakota's Hall of Fame in 2017.
Following his playing career, the Lohrville, Iowa native and Iowa High School Hall of Famer (2017) stayed in Vermillion as a graduate assistant coach before becoming the quarterbacks coach and eventually, the associate head coach and offensive coordinator. USD recorded several big wins with Beschorner leading the offense, including wins over North Dakota State and defending national champions Eastern Washington, each of whom were ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time. The Coyotes were nationally ranked for 10 consecutive weeks in 2011 and the program also tallied a 41-38 signature win over Minnesota in 2010.
After his time at USD, Beschorner was the offensive quality control assistant at Pitt before taking a position at Rice as their quarterbacks coach.
"My family and I are thrilled to be here and join the Blugold family," said Beschorner. "We are excited to compete for championships, recruit and develop student-athletes and help them graduate with a world-class degree. I want to thank Chancellor Schmidt, Dan Schumacher and the search committee for the first-class hiring process and helping our family feel at home."
Wesley is married to former USD track standout Kiki (Smith) Beschorner. They have three sons, Burke, Rhett and Troy.