Ex-Nebraska football star makes a big jump in his coaching career

Former Nebraska football quarterback Joe Ganz's coaching career is really still just getting started. But he took a rather impressive leap on Monday when he was announced as a new member of the Middle Tennesee State coaching staff.

On Monday, the Blue Raiders announced Ganz would take on the position of Tight Ends Coach on new head coach Derek Mason's staff. In making the announcement, it was clear that Mason is quite impressed with Ganz's offense mind.

"Joe has had the opportunity to work with Bodie Reeder and was with Bo Pelini at Youngstown State where they won several titles," Mason said in a press release announcing the hire. "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."

Prior to joining the Middle Tennessee State staff, the ex-Nebraska football quarterback spent four years with Northern Iowa. Before that he did serve under former Husker head coach Bo Pelini's staff at Youngstown State.

At Northern Iowa, he most recently coached wide receivers, including the Missouri Valley Conference leading Sam Schnee. Schnee finished the 2023 season with 57 catches, 1,045 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also showed steady growth and development during his career with the Panthers.

Ex-Nebraska football quarterback makes a jump in coaching career

Before his coaching career, Joe Ganz came virtually out of nowhere to set multiple passing records for the Nebraska football program. Despite spending most of the 2007 season as the backup, he started the Huskers' final three games and still finished with 1,435 yards, 16 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

In 2008, he entered the campaign as the starter and ended up throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. That performance included leading the Nebraska football team to a 26-21 Gator Bowl victory over Clemson en route to a 9-4 record.