The Ripon football program has bolstered its staff with the addition of Joe Blitstein, who will serve as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator as announced by head coach
Jake Marshall on Friday, January 12, 2024.
"We are thrilled to have Coach Blitstein joining our staff," Marshall said. "His passion for offensive line play is incredible, and his experience as both a player and a coach will add a great dynamic to the group. As a former Division 3 standout, Joe was a great example of what our student-athletes strive to achieve."
Blitstein is no stranger to Wisconsin, playing at UW-Oshkosh for four seasons while serving as a team captain. With the Titans, Blitstein was part of the most successful runs in UWO history, advancing to the NCAA Championship in 2016, the NCAA Semifinals in 2017, the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2015 and the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2019. He also helped UWO to a trio of WIAC championships in 2015, 2017 and 2019, going 56-15 throughout his career while only dropping eight WIAC games in six seasons.
Blitstein comes to Ripon after one season as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Buena Vista University, an NCAA Division III school in Storm Lake, Iowa. There, he coached James Facio who was named an All-American Rivers Conference honorable mention offensive lineman.
Prior to Buena Vista, Blitstein was the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at the University of St. Francis, an NAIA institution in Joliet, Illinois for one season. He mentored All-Mid-States Football Association Midwest League (MSFA) tight ends Daniel Goetsch and De'Whon Gavin while helping the Saints to a 7-3 record and a second-place finish in the MSFA. In addition to his on-field roles, Blitstein served as an equipment manager and creative content coordinator with the Saints.
Blitstein's first coaching opportunity came at his alma mater, where he served as an assistant offensive line coach from October 2020 to May 2021.
"I'm excited for this opportunity given to me by
Jake Marshall,
Mike Hepp and
Chris Schumacher," Blitstein said. "I played at Oshkosh and was there for seven years so I know there's a lot of quality football in central Wisconsin. I'm excited to be at a place that feels like home and do my part to help Ripon develop outstanding players while winning football games."
Blitstein graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 2019 with a degree in Psychology. He received his master's degree from UWO in Educational Leadership and Policy with an emphasis in Athletics Leadership and Sports Management in 2021.
