Joe Ganz hired as Middle Tennessee tight ends coach

On Monday, Middle Tennessee State hired Northern Iowa wide receivers coach and former Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz to be its next tight ends coach. Middle Tennessee head coach Derek Mason is thrilled to add Ganz to the staff.

“Joe has had the opportunity to work with [MTSU offensive coordinator] Bodie Reeder and was with Bo Pelini at Youngstown State where they won several titles,” Mason said in a press release. “He is a winner. He played quarterback, which gives us another offensive mind in that room who understands the Xs and Os and how to get it from the class to the grass quickly and efficiently.”

Gantz has spent the last four seasons at Northern Iowa. While there, he mentored Sam Schnee, who was both UNI’s and the Missouri Valley Conference’s leading receiver with 1,041 total receiving yards in 2023. Schnee averaged 94.64 per game as well as 18.26 yards per reception.

Before joining Northern Iowa, Ganz spent four years at Youngstown State. Ganz was the tight ends coach his first two years with the program, but switched to coaching the quarterbacks halfway through his tenure.

In his final season with the team, YSU boasted five 200-plus yard passing efforts, including a streak of four straight, as well while throwing a touchdown pass in 11 of 12 contests.

Joe Ganz boasts success on the field

Ganz not only has experience behind the headset but the facemask, too. Ganz played at Nebraska from 2004-08. While there, he set 23 program records, including when he tallied 510 passing yards, 528 and seven passing touchdowns against Kansas State in 2007 in only his second career start.

Ganz threw for more than 300 yards five times in 2008 and topped that number eight times in 16 career starts. In 2008, Ganz also showed his dual-threat ability. He ran for 258 yards and five touchdowns on the season, including 95 yards and two touchdowns at Kansas State.

He was named the Huskers’ MVP and capped his career by being named the MVP of the 2009 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl as Nebraska defeated Clemson. Ganz earned a degree in business administration from Nebraska in December of 2008.

He will bring a wealth of knowledge to the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee State finished with a 4-8 record last season. However, they played a grueling schedule, squaring off against teams such as Alabama and Missouri.