Joe Kersting
Joe Kersting has spent 26 years as a college football coach, including 16 years as the head football coach at Glendale Community College (Arizona). His coaching experiences include a one-year stint at the University of Arizona and five years at Northern Arizona University, where he played football and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees. While at Glendale, his teams accomplished many outstanding feats. He inherited a program that won one game prior to his hiring. In two years, the program was transformed into undefeated National Junior College Athletic Association champions (1988). Since that time, the Glendale program has shown amazing consistency. In the 1990s, Glendale was ranked the #11 NJCAA football program, and in the 2000s, the program has moved to #2 in the NJCAA. In the last seven seasons, Glendale has been undefeated five times in region play. Kersting’s teams have always been known for playing fast, aggressive defense. For years, his offenses were known for a strong running game, but in recent years, his teams have been more balanced. He has produced many all-American players, and at least 10 of his athletes have played professionally, either in the NFL or AFL. In Kersting’s 20 years of coaching at Glendale (four years as an assistant coach), the Gauchos have won three national championships (1988, 2000, 2005) and 14 conference championships, played in 13 post-season bowl games, and been nationally ranked 14 times. Kersting has been named Region Coach of the Year 11 times and National Coach of the Year once (2005). In the summer of 2006, Coach Kersting was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. His 1988 team, and the star player of that team, Phillippi Sparks, are also in the NJCAA Hall of Fame. Jack’s last football coaching experience was assisting his son, Joe, at Glendale Community College.
