University of Sioux Falls Athletics

Dane Wardenburg is in his third season as the offensive line coach for the University of Sioux Falls Football Team.

n 2018, Wardenburg directed an offensive line that was one of the best in NCAA DII and the NSIC. Trey Pipkins, who was one of 14 USF players named to the all-league team, was USF’s first-ever invitee to the NFL Combine and drafted as the 27th pick of the third round - 91st overall - by the Los Angeles Chargers. USF had offensive tackle Adam Sheffield invited to a rookie mini camp of the Indianapolis Colts. Pipkins, who was a finalist for the Upshaw Award (best small college lineman), was named to five (two preseason and three postseason) All-America teams. Sheffield was an honorable mention All-American on the D2Football.com squad. Sheffield and Pipkins were named all-region. In addition junior guard Nolan Kern was named second team All-NSIC and center Nick Zimmerman was selected honorable mention All-NSIC.

USF led the NSIC in rushing at 274.2 yards per game and ranked fifth in NCAA DII. He was part of an offensive staff that directed the league’s top offense at 466.0 yards per game. The offense was ranked 19th in DII at season’s end. The offensive front had 3,366 positive reps in 3,904 plays for an overall grade of 86.2 percent or a jump of 4.1 percent from a year ago. USF allowed 19 sacks (fourth in the NSIC) and had 463 knockdowns.

In 2017, Wardenburg was part of a coaching staff that helped direct USF to a 9-3 record and a 24th straight winning season, which is the 5th best mark across all levels in the NCAA. USF reached the postseason for a fourth straight season and the DII playoffs for a third consecutive season, finishing No. 20 in the final AFCA poll. Pipkins, Jesse Springer and tight end NIcholas Stanke were named All-NSIC (second team). Stanke was also named CoSIDA Academic all-American. USF ranked fourth in the NSIC with 190.2 yards per game rushing and fifth in total offense with 381.1 yards per game in 12 games. As a unit, USF had 3,582 positive reps in 4,364 snaps for a grade of 82.1 percent as a unit. The offensive front allowed just 17  sacks (second in the NSIC) and registered 456 knockdowns.

Originally of Creston, Iowa, Wardenburg comes to USF after spending the last three seasons (since 2014) with Iowa Western Community College as an offensive line/tight ends coach. At IWCC, he coordinated the run game for a team that compiled a 27-9 record while making a national title game appearance at the National Junior College level. While there, IWCC won three conference titles and a regional title. He coached and mentored 14 linemen who moved on to the FBS/FCS level and five to NCAA DII. 

Prior to Iowa Western, Wardenburg was offensive line/tight ends coach at NCAA DIII Wisconsin-Stout, where he coordinated the run game. He coached a pair of All-WIAC linemen and one that made all-region. He was also graduate assistant coach (in charge of) of offensive line and tight ends at Northwest Missouri State, where he coached All-American Rod Williams and three all-league offensive linemen.  

Before entering the coaching profession, he was a standout performer at NWMSU, where he was a starter on the 2010 squad that reached the NCAA DII semifinals. He also played on the 2009 team that won the DII title and the 2008 squad that finished runner-up.

A 2010 first team all-region and first team all Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Conference selection as a senior in 2010, he started 35 games for NWMSU. In his final three seasons, NWMSU was 39-5 overall and 29-0 in league play.

Wardenburg, an avid hunter and fisherman, and his wife Jordan have a daughter, Blakely.