Joe Troche '10 is in his third season as the recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach for the St. Olaf football program in 2021-22.
Troche came to St. Olaf after six seasons at Hamline University from 2013-18. In 2018, he was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Pipers, where he coached three All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) selections, including linebacker Luke Trudell, who was a D3football.com All-West Region Third Team pick.
In his first five seasons at Hamline, Troche coached a variety of defensive position groups, including strong safeties (2013), defensive line (2014-15), linebackers (2016) and defensive line (2017). He was the program's co-defensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017, before taking over the position exclusively in 2018.
Prior to Hamline, Troche spent two seasons coaching at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as a graduate assistant. While at UWEC, Troche mentored the inside and outside linebackers, coaching two All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) performers in his two seasons.
In 2010, Troche was one of 30 coaches selected to participate in the NCAA Future Football Coaches Academy in San Antonio, Texas. In 2017, he was selected as one of the participants in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)'s 30 Under 30 Coaches Leadership Institute in Nashville, Tenn.
A 2010 graduate of St. Olaf with a bachelor of arts 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. During his four seasons, St. Olaf won 27 games - their best era of football in many seasons.
Troche and his wife, Brooke, reside in Minneapolis with their infant daughter, Martina.
