Joel Dettwiler begins his fifh season as the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse head football coach in 2015.
UW-L has led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in fewest penalties the last three seasons (2012, 2013, 2014). The Eagles ranked second in the league in passing defense and fourth in scoring defense in 2014.
In his first season at the helm of the Eagles in 2011, UW-L finished third in the conference in rushing offense and defense and fourth in scoring defense. The team finished third in red-zone defense and fourth in scoring defense in 2012.
A total of 32 All-WIAC selections have been earned under Dettwiler at UW-L, including seven first team choices.
A native of Oregon, Wisconsin, Dettwiler was an assistant coach at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa from 2004 to 2010. He was the linebackers coach and head strength coach from 2004 to 2008 before being named the Knights’ defensive coordinator in 2008, a position he held for three seasons.
A 1997 graduate of the UW-Platteville, Dettwiler helped lead Wartburg (Iowa) to a 57-18 record in his seven years as an assistant coach. The Knights advanced to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Playoffs in 2004, 2008 and 2010 after claiming the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) title each season.
Wartburg (Iowa) led the IIAC in scoring defense, turnover margin and quarterback sacks in 2008 and 2010 under Dettwiler’s tutelage. He recruited in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois while at Wartburg (Iowa) and was the team’s academic coordinator.
Dettwiler served as an assistant coach and director of football operations at UW-Platteville from 2000 to 2004, coaching the defensive backs and linemen. He played in the Pioneers’ defensive backfield for four years and was a team captain in 1995. Dettwiler earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from UW-Platteville.
Along with his coaching duties at Wartburg (Iowa), Dettwiler served as a lecturer in the computer science and physical education departments. He was also a lecturer in UW-Platteville’s general engineering and physical education departments. Dettwiler earned master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999 (civil engineering) and from UW-Platteville (education) in 2002.
Dettwiler and his wife, Kirsten, have two daughters, Ava (8) and Lillian (5).
A member of the American Football Coaches Association and Iowa and Wisconsin Football Coaches Associations, Dettwiler is also a USA Weightlifting Certified Club Coach. He is a member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association.
