Tanner Engstrand has a been a steadfast member of the University of San Diego coaching staff over the past ten seasons, most recently being promoted to Assistant Head Coach in February 2013. He has also been the program's Offensive Coordinator the last four seasons and has coached the Quarterbacks for a total of seven seasons.
This past season Engstrand helped direct the Toreros to an overall mark of 9-2 and to a share of the PFL championship with a 7-1 record. USD led all PFL teams in scoring offense (31.0 ppg) and pass efficiency (141.5). Redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Lawrence was named the team's MVP and selected the PFL Offensive Freshman of the Year.
In 2014 Engstrand helped lead the Toreros to an overall record of 9-3, to the Pioneer Football League title for the third time in four seasons, and to the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history.
Engstrand was at the front leading the charge for one of the most productive and explosive offenses in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2013. The Torero offense helped USD finish with an 8-3 record while ranking in the top ten nationally in eight offensive categories including: second in passer efficiency (169.10), third in passing TD's (37), fifth in 3rd down conversion percentage (49.6%), sixth in time of possession (33+ min), eighth in pass yards/game (323.9pyg), eighth in scoring offense (39.1ppg), eighth in completion percentage (66.3%), and ninth in total yards/game (487.2ypg).
San Diego's offense set new school records for total yards per game and passing yards per game while placing eight players on the 1st or 2nd team all-conference teams, led by quarterback Mason Mills who was named the Offensive Player of the year in the Pioneer Football League.
Engstrand worked directly with Mills, one of the nation's top signal callers in the FCS, who was named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Mills ranked in the top 15 nationally in several categories: third in passing touchdowns (35), fourth in passer efficiency (168.1), seventh in pass yards/game (314.8pyg), and 13th in completion percentage (66%). In 2012, Mills led the nation in completion percentage (70%) and finished fifth in passer efficiency (154.26).
Since being named the offensive coordinator at USD before the 2011 season, the Toreros have garnered a record of 34-11, including 28-4 in conference games and three conference championships.
Prior to his time as offensive coordinator, Engstrand served as the quarterbacks coach, passing game coordinator, and also as the running backs coach from 2007 to 2009. During his time as running backs coach, he mentored record setting running back JT Rogan to a unanimous 1st team all-conference selection in 2007.
Engstrand began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for current San Francisco 49ers head coach, Jim Harbaugh, helping tutor the quarterbacks and offensive line. During this time the Toreros posted a 22-2 overall record and a won two league titles while going undefeated in conference play, while the offense finished first in the nation in total offense during the 2006 season.
As a player, Engstrand was a quarterback at San Diego State during the 2003 and 2004 seasons and at Grossmont College from 2000-2002 where he earned 1st team all-conference and academic all-american honors during the 2002 season.
Engstrand earned his bachelor's degree in economics from SDSU in 2005 and also earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of San Diego in 2007. He and his wife Lauren married in May 2014 and have one daughter, Paislyn Michelle, and welcomed Wyatt Steven Engstrand on June 25th.
