Josh Gehring has joined the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football staff.  Gehring, most recently at Morningside College (IA), will serve as UW-W's pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

"We're extremely pleased to have Josh join the staff," UW-W head coach Lance Leipold said.  "He has had a lot of success in his young career, helping make Morningside a playoff team.  Josh has been a coordinator on both sides of the ball, so he has a good overall grasp of the game.  He will be a great addition."

As offensive coordinator Gehring helped guide Morningside into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics playoffs in 2007, 2008 and 2009.  The Mustangs went from averaging 24 points per game to 36.1 (2007), to 48 (2008) and finally 45.1 (2009).  Morningside averaged over 400 yards per game during his three years as the school's offensive coordinator, with MC's quarterbacks completing more than 60% of their passes all three seasons.  After the 2009 season he was named the American Football Coaches Association NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year.

Gehring's coaching career began as the tight ends coach at his alma mater, Ottawa University (KS). That was followed by working as the quarterbacks coach at Rock Bridge High School (MO).  His resume includes stops as special teams coordinator and QB coach at Manchester College (IN), tight end coach of Western Kentucky, run game coordinator at Missouri State University, and defensive coordinator at Concordia University (IL).  At Morningside he added the assistant head coach title coordinator duties.

"The people we've met so far, administration, staff and players, have been very welcoming to me and my family," Gehring said.  "I'm really excited to be part of this great tradition. I think it is should be a fairly smooth transition."

In addition to his football duties Gehring will also teach in the health, physical education, recreation, dance and coaching department.  

Gehring, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter Jersey (2) are living in Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater has won five consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships.  With five straight National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III playoff bids, UW-W has advanced through the playoffs to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl all five years, winning the national title in 2007 and 2009.  The Warhawks have gone 42-3 in three years under Leipold, including a 20-1 record in the WIAC. 

UW-Whitewater is ranked first in one NCAA III preseason poll and second in another.

for additional information:  Lance Leipold