Mitchell Kleinschrodt is in his third season as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at St. Olaf in 2024-25.
In 2023, Kleinschrodt coached defensive back Deonta Thomas to All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) honors, while senior kicker/punter Collin Swan was an Honorable Mention All-MIAC honoree. St. Olaf's kickoff coverage unit ranked No. 10 in NCAA Division III by holding opponents to 14.70 yards per return.
Kleinschrodt came to St. Olaf after coaching one season at Gustavus Adolphus College. There, he worked with the wide receivers and was also in charge of the punt and kick return special teams units. He coached two all-conference wide receivers, along with one all-conference special teams returner. At Gustavus, the kick return team was ranked first in the MIAC and 10th nationally in averaging 24.18 yards per return with one return for a touchdown.
Prior to coaching at Gustavus, Kleinschrodt spent three seasons as the head football coach at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa. Kleinschrodt inherited a 1-10 program and went 5-24 in three seasons, including a COVID-shortened spring season. During his time at Ellsworth Community College, he was able to help develop 10 Academic All-Americans and 4 NJCAA All-Americans. From 2019-2021, the Panthers were the second most-improved pass offense in the entire country, along with being the third most-improved total offense in the country. In 2021, Ellsworth’s defense also had the No. 2-ranked pass defense in the country. Through the program's development, there were 45 transfers that went from ECC to four-year schools, 24 of them transferring to an NCAA Division I school. In addition, Kleinschrodt also served as the offensive coordinator and over his tenure coached the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and offensive line. He was also in charge of the punt and kick return units, along with FG/PAT.
Kleinschrodt arrived at Ellsworth after spending 2018 as the director of recruiting at the University of New Mexico. At New Mexico, he also served as the NFL liaison and travel liaison. Kleinschrodt assisted in the recruiting of 2023 fourth-round NFL draft pick Dylan Horton and 2023 sixth-round NFL draft pick Jerrick Reed II.
Prior to his off the field role at the University of New Mexico, he was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. Kleinschrodt assisted the team in achieving a 6-5 record. There he coached four all-conference selections; offensive lineman Quintin Taylor, running back Ryan Parmely, wide receiver Jarred Edmonds, and quarterback Brent Lammers, who also led the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in total offense.
Kleinschrodt served as a graduate assistant at the University of New Mexico in 2015 and 2016, helping guide the team to bowl games in both seasons. Over his time there, he worked with the wide receivers, running backs, offensive line and also assisted in recruiting. He helped guide the Lobos to bowl games The Lobos won the New Mexico Bowl and a share of the Mountain Division title in 2016 while also leading the entire country in rushing with 350 yards per game.
Prior to his time in New Mexico, Kleinschrodt spent the 2014 season at Highland Community College in Kansas as the running backs and wide receivers coach, recruiting coordinator, and video coordinator. Before that, he served as a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State University in his home state of Minnesota. In 2012-13, he assisted with coaching the running backs and defensive backs and was video coordinator for the Huskies. During his time at St. Cloud State, the Huskies finished 7-4 in 2012 and 12-2 in 2013; the 2013 squad advanced to the NCAA Division II playoff quarterfinals.
Kleinschrodt, a native of Alden, Minnesota, graduated in 2008 from Alden-Conger High School. He went on to play at Gustavus Adolphus, where he saw action on both sides of the ball, playing quarterback and wide receiver, and later as a defensive back, starting his senior season.
Kleinschrodt graduated from Gustavus Adolphus in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. Kleinschrodt also holds a master’s degree in educational administration and leadership from St. Cloud State and a master’s in sports administration from the University of New Mexico. Kleinschrodt is currently enrolled in a doctoral program through Liberty University in strategic leadership.
Kleinschrodt resides in Dundas, Minn.
Quick Facts
Hometown: Alden, Minnesota
High School: Alden-Conger
College/Degree: Gustavus Adolphus College/B.A. Communications Studies
College/Degree: St. Cloud State University/M.S. Educational Administration and Leadership
College/Degree: University of New Mexico/M.S. Physical Education, concentration in Sports Administration
College/Degree: Liberty University/DSL. Doctor of Strategic Leadership (currently enrolled)
Coaching Experience
2023-pres - St. Olaf College - Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2022 - Gustavus Adolphus College - Wide Receivers
2019-21 - Ellsworth Community College (IA) - Head Coach
2018 - University of New Mexico - Director of Recruiting
2017 - Upper Iowa University - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2016 - University of New Mexico - Graduate Assistant (RB)
2015 - University of New Mexico - Graduate Assistant (WR)
2014 - Highland Community College (KS) - Running Backs / Wide Receivers
2013 - St. Cloud State University - Graduate Assistant (DB)
2012 - St. Cloud State University - Graduate Assistant (RB)
Postseason Experience
2016 - University of New Mexico - Gildan New Mexico Bowl
2015 - University of New Mexico - Gildan New Mexico Bowl
2013 - St. Cloud State University - Division II National Quarterfinals
