The Fort Lewis College golf program added a familiar face when it announced the hiring of assistant coach Devin Schreiner on Friday. He is a former Skyhawk and Durango High School golfer.
Interim head coach Jim Foltz said bringing on Schreiner will help the program in a number of ways.
“I had met Devin a couple of times at Hillcrest, and he had always offered to help the program out,” Foltz said. “I’ve got high expectations, and he really was great during our interview process. He’s taking that drive and he embodies it. He wants to be a coach and sees this as a stepping stone; he’s been given a great opportunity that not many get.”
Schreiner, who played for Fort Lewis from 2009-11, helped the Skyhawks reach the NCAA Central/West Regional during the 2009-10 season and would later play for New Mexico State for his final season of eligibility.
“I’m really excited to be back with a program that gave me so much,” Schreiner said. “Jim asked me to be his assistant, and I told him that I’d love to help. I think that (Foltz) provides the structure that this program needs. I just wanted to give back to a program that’s near and dear to me.”
In 2012, Schreiner turned professional and made the Gateway/All-American Tour, the third-highest level of professional golf. In addition, Schreiner also played in the Colorado Open Golf Championships.
Schreiner will work with both the men’s and women’s programs and will adjust to a busy schedule.
“I’ll be traveling with both teams right now,” Schreiner said. “It just depends on what the need of the team and what Jim needs for me. I plan on traveling with both for the championship season and am really looking forward to getting to know both sets of players and to keep working on their game.”
The 2006 Durango High School graduate was a four-year varsity player for the Demons. He won four tournaments his senior year and stills hold the lowest score in DHS boys golf history with a 66.
Schreiner had always wanted to get into coaching and said this was the perfect time in his career to get involved. He said he was inspired by his junior college coach at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix. He was a junior college All-American in 2007 before he transferred to Fort Lewis.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with this program and the coaches and just felt like this is the perfect chance” Schrenier said. “I want to bring them to a national championship level where I know we belong.”
Foltz is confident in his choice and believes it is another step in the right direction.
“Devin’s the right guy because he’s been there and has done it,” Foltz said. “We’re getting where we need to be as a Division II program, and hiring Devin is a big step forward. I’m 100 percent sure he’s the right guy for this job.”
bploen@durangoherald.com
