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| Luther athletics photo |
Renae Hartl, Luther athletic director, has named Joe Troche as head coach of football. Troche will immediately assume his duties.
Troche replaces Caleb Padilla, who was promoted from within in 2018. The Norse were 0-10 this past season, and 2-29 in Padilla’s tenure, which included an 0-1 mark in the spring of 2021. Luther has lost 12 games in a row.
“We are very excited to welcome Coach Joe Troche and his family to Decorah,” commented Hartl. “The search committee was very impressed with Coach Troche's plan for our football program. He possesses the enthusiasm and commitment that we need and I truly believe that all his experiences have led him to Luther College.”
Troche takes over the Norse football program after serving as recruiting and special teams coordinator at St. Olaf the past three years.
Prior to St. Olaf, he spent eight seasons at Hamline (2011-18), the last two as defensive coordinator (2017-18). He also coached the safeties, linebackers and defensive line. During his first six years, he was also the school’s assistant director of undergraduate admissions.
Troche’s first two years of his collegiate coaching career was spent at UW-Eau Claire as a graduate assistant working primarily with the inside and outside linebackers.
A 2010 graduate of St. Olaf with a bachelor’s in exercise science, Troche played linebacker and defensive end for the Oles in his first three seasons before being moved to running back in his senior season.
“It is an honor to be named the head football coach of Luther College,” stated Troche. “I am beyond grateful to both president Ward and director of athletics Renae Hartl for trusting me with the opportunity to continue building the Norse football program. Luther is one of the top academic institutions in the Midwest and offers students a truly life-changing experience. It is a privilege for me to be a part of that experience.”
“I also want to thank my mentors Jerry Olszewski, Rob McCarthy, and Yon Boone who have provided me with continued guidance throughout my professional career, along with Chip Taylor and James Kilian who both have provided me the opportunity to lead and mentor the young men in my previous roles.”
“The city of Decorah is a special place that my family and I look forward to calling home for a long time.”