St. Olaf College Athletics

Recruiting Territories: Minnesota (651) area code, South/City Chicago, Colorado, and Illinois

Joe Lepsche is in his fourth season as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at St. Olaf in 2020-21 after being named to the position in March 2017.

Lepsche has been part of a coaching staff that has helped the Oles improve their record from 2-8 (1-7 MIAC) in 2016 to 4-6 overall (3-5 MIAC) in 2017 to back-to-back 5-5 overall (3-5 MIAC) finishes in 2018 and 2019. St. Olaf received a vote in the D3football.com Top 25 after its 5-0 start to 2018 and its five victories marked the most for the program since 2012.

In Lepsche's three seasons, he has coached eight All-MIAC selections, including four first team all-conference honorees, and three Honorable Mention All-MIAC honorees.

Lepsche spent the 2016 season at St. Francis High School in Wheaton, Ill., as head football coach and offensive coordinator. St. Francis is a member of the prestigious Chicago Catholic League. At St. Francis, Lepsche also worked in the admissions and physical education departments.

Prior to St. Francis, Lepsche spent two stints (2008-10 and 2012-15) at the University of St. Thomas, serving as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator during his tenure. He helped the Tommies achieve a cumulative 87-14 record, including two national championship game appearances. Lepsche coached three Remington Award winners (top center in the nation), two Mike Stam Award winners (top MIAC lineman) and 12 All-Americans while at St. Thomas.

During the 2011 season, Lepsche was the assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator at Hill-Murray School in Maplewood, Minn. Lepsche helped Hill-Murray finish 9-3 and make it to the Class 4A state semifinals. He worked under former NFL quarterback and current Cretin-Derham Hall High School head coach Brooks Bollinger.

Lepsche got his start in coaching as a student assistant at St. Thomas in 2006, followed by a year as offensive line coach at Macalester College in 2007. He graduated from St. Thomas with a Bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s degree in athletic administration after starting three years at fullback and serving as a team captain for the Tommies. He graduated from Woodbury High School, where he had a successful prep career.

Lepsche resides in Woodbury, Minn., with his wife, Megan, and their daughter, Mackenzie, and their son, Louie. 

Quick Facts
Hometown: Woodbury, Minn.
High School: Woodbury High School
Institution/Degree: University of St. Thomas/B.A. Education
Institution/Degree: University of St. Thomas/M.A. Athletics Administration

Coaching Experience
2017-pres. - St. Olaf College - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2016 - St. Francis High School - Head Coach
2015 - University of St. Thomas - Recruiting Coordinator/Offensive Line
2014 - University of St. Thomas - Recruiting Coordinator/Offensive Line
2013 - University of St. Thomas - Recruiting Coordinator/Offensive Line
2012 - University of St. Thomas - Offensive Line
2011 - Hill-Murray High School - Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
2010 - University of St. Thomas - Offensive Line
2009 - University of St. Thomas - Offensive Line
2008 - University of St. Thomas - Offensive Line
2007 - Macalester College - Offensive Line
2006 - University of St. Thomas - Student Assistant

Post-Season Experience
2015 - University of St. Thomas - NCAA Division III National Championship Game (Stagg Bowl)
2014 - University of St. Thomas - NCAA Division III Playoffs First Round
2012 - University of St. Thomas - NCAA Division III National Championship Game (Stagg Bowl)
2010 - University of St. Thomas - NCAA Division III National Quarterfinals
2009 University of St. Thomas - NCAA Division III National Quarterfinals