MARQUETTE, Mich. - Northern Michigan football coach Shane Richardson is pleased to announce the addition of Joe Gatz to the coaching staff as the Wildcats are currently in spring ball and gearing up for the 2024 season. Gatz will take over offensive line duties for the Green and Gold. 

Gatz spent the past three seasons at Southwest Minnesota State (SMSU) in Marshall, Minnesota. With the Mustangs, he was the Tight Ends Coach as well as the Run Game Coordinator in 2022 and 2023. The year prior, Gatz guided the Offensive Line while working towards his Master of Science in Physical Education: Coaching of Sport. He was also the lead recruiter in Wisconsin and Illinois. 

"We are very excited to announce Joe Gatz as our Offensive Line Coach," said Richardson. "He brings knowledge and a passion to coach offensive line play. Joe is a genuine individual that the players will gravitate to, and fits well in our program. He will be a valuable asset as we move forward."

Before his time at SMSU, Gatz was the Varsity Offensive Line Coach at Saint Charles East High School in Illinois in 2020 and 2021. Gatz was a member of the UW-Whitewater football team in 2017 and 2018 while also coaching the Offensive Line locally at Whitewater High School.