Joe McPherson
Assistant Director
Joe McPherson serves as varsity head coach and on the Orono Youth Football Board in a non-voting capacity. Since taking over the Orono Varsity Football program in 2019, Joe has led the team on a steady climb, highlighted by a Section Championship and State Semi-Finals appearance in 2021 and another Section Championship in 2023. The Spartans are a team on the rise under Coach McPherson!
Joe's coaching history includes:
Orono Varsity Head Football Coach: 2019 - Present
Orono High School Head Wrestling Coach: 2011 - Present
Orono Football Board: 2016 - Present
Orono Youth Baseball Travel Coach: 2016 – 2019
Orono Youth Baseball Board: 2016 – 2019
Orono Youth Football Head Coach: 2015 – 2019
Orono High School Assistant Football Coach: 2012 - 2018
Joe graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. While at UNO, he participated in the baseball program all four years. After graduation, Joe moved to SD briefly until he married his wife, Kathryn. They live in Orono and are the proud parents of two children, Morgan and Brady. Outside of coaching, Joe ran and recently sold his share of ownership in his own construction company in Maple Plain (Gordon James Construction). He is now an in-demand business consultant.
Every year, Joe and his coaching staff work to improve participation in all sports by increasing knowledge of the sport throughout the school and having a philosophy of working hard and having fun every day. Joe follows five key components when it comes to sports in general:
1.) Enthusiastic and Positive
2.) Committed, Organized and Prepared
3.) Communication
4.) BE A COMPETITOR (Get After It – Compete Hard)
5.) Treat everyone (including opponents) with respect
Joe's other hobbies include spending time with his wife & kids, coaching his children, hunting, fishing & golf.