DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Joe Gatz as the program's new Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. Gatz joins the Saints after serving as the Offensive Line Coach at Northern Michigan University.
Gatz replaces Justin Sinz, who stepped down following the 2025 season to pursue another coaching opportunity.
"I am extremely excited to add Coach Gatz to our staff," said head coach Matt Bremer, "our offense, as well as our entire football program, will benefit greatly from his vast experience, commitment to excellence and infectious energy. It was clear throughout the hiring process that he approaches every day with relentlessness and embodies our culture. Our campus community and alumni will be proud to call Coach Gatz a Saint."
Most recently, Gatz served as the Offensive Line Coach at Northern Michigan University, where he coached from 2024-2025. In his first year with the Wildcats, he helped guide an offensive line unit that powered the 28th-best rushing attack in the nation while ranking 14th nationally in fewest sacks allowed. The unit made significant strides year-over-year, increasing its rushing production from 845 yards in 2023 to 1,957 yards in 2024.
In addition to his on-field responsibilities, Gatz served as a lead recruiter for areas in the upper Midwest.
Prior to his time at Northern Michigan, Gatz spent three seasons at Southwest Minnesota State University. He served as the Offensive Line Coach in 2021 before transitioning to Tight Ends Coach for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, while also adding Run Game Coordinator duties in 2023.
Gatz began his coaching career at Saint Charles East High School in Illinois, where he served as the Varsity Offensive Line Coach for a perennial 8A playoff program.
A former collegiate football student-athlete, Gatz earned his Master of Science in Physical Education with an emphasis in Coaching of Sport from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2023. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Health & Human Performance with a minor in Coaching from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
