Central College Athletics

Mitch Shepherd joined the Central College football staff as defensive coordinator in 2022 after two seasons as defensive coordinator at Lakeland University (Wis.).
           
A D3football.com All-West Region linebacker at the University of Redlands (Calif.), Shepherd was the 2016 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference defensive player of the year. He was a four-time all-conference selection and a three-time first-team honoree. Also a team captain, Shepherd was named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Society for academic performance.
           
Shepherd, a Seattle, Washington native, served as a graduate assistant defensive line coach at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2018 before joining the staff at Lakeland as linebackers coach in 2019. He was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2020 and received a master's degree at Lakeland that year as well while also serving as the school's strength and conditioning coordinator.
           
Lakeland's 8-2 record in 2021 was its best since 2003. The Lakeland defense that ranked third in Division III in pass sacks, eighth in interceptions and defensive touchdowns and 10th in turnovers gained.

Coaching achievements

Central College

• Team had 7-3 (.700) record, 5-3 (.625) mark in conference games in his first season
• (5) All-conference performers on defense in his tenure

Lakeland College

• Team had 15-8 (.653) record,12-6 (.667) mark in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference games in his three seasons

University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff

• Team had 2-9 (.182) record, 1-6 (.143) mark in Southwestern Athletic Conference games in his one season

Athletics career

University of the Redlands

• Team had 27-11 (.711) record, 22-5 (.815) mark in Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference games in his four seasons
• Linebacker
• (4) D3football.com All-West Region, third team – 2016
• (1) Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year award – 2016
• (4) Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference All-Conference selections -- 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• (2) Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships -- 2016, 2018