Joe Hadachek

Alumni and Youth Director

515-669-6570

Hadachek just finished his 12th year as the head football coach for the Union Knights. The Knights have played in 11 consecutive post-season playoff appearances, tied for the longest current streak in 2A football. Since Hadachek's arrival at Union there have been 33 all-state players and 80 first team all-district players, one 3A state championship team, one 2A runner up team, one 2A semi-final team, two district championship teams, and district co-championship team.

This past fall, 2018, Union tied for co-champions of the district and lost round one of the playoffs. After losing the majority of the 2A state finalist team the 2017 Knights fought their way through the toughest 2A district (3 of final 8 were from 2A district four) to the UNI-Dome. Union lost in the semifinals finishing (8-4) overall.

In the 2016 season, he led the Knights to the 2A championship game at the UNI-Dome and during the season hit the 100 win club as a head coach (79 with Union HS and 23 with BVU). Coach Hadachek was also a 2016 finalist for the U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach program, finishing third nationally. Sponsored by U.S. Cellular, the program seeks to honor a coach who has had an impact on and off the playing field.

In 2014 Joe was the 2A D6 coach of the year and also awarded the Ed Thomas Coach of the Week Award. Hadachek was named 2012 2A District 3 Coach of the Year while guiding the Knights to an undefeated district run. In 2011 he was 3A coach of the year after the Knights won the 2011 3A title game and went 12-2.

In 2010 Hadachek was selected defensive coordinator for the North team at the Iowa Shrine Bowl in Ames. The North racked up six turnovers and posted a 24-0 shutout. It was the first and only shutout in Shrine Bowl history by the North squad. Jared Wauters, a Union senior, was named the captain of the squad.

The Knights have produced 80 1st team all-district and 33 all-state players (DSM Register/INA) over the last 12 years. There has been an average of four players each year graduating from Union and playing college football since Hadachek's arrival. The class of 2013 had a record seven young men on the college gridiron while the class of 2017 had five.

Coach Hadachek also founded the Wolf Creek Rugby club which has been active since 2015. The club won the small school division of the IYRA in 2016 and was runner up in 2017. The club has averaged 20 players participating each spring.

12th year HFC at Union HS, head coaching record (93-38, 71%): (Previous experience with football: founder of KYFC (Knights Youth FB Club 2001), created K-2 football camp at Carroll, IA, 2000, Buena Vista University head football coach 1996-1999 (23-17, .540), Drake University offensive coordinator/strength and conditioning coach, graduate assistant, 1986-1995.

Hadachek has helped coordinate an annual Fields of Faith event each fall at Union in cooperation with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As many as ten different schools have attended. 2018 had a crowd of over 800 young men and women in attendance.

Education: Master's degree of Science - Exercise, Drake University, 1988, Bachelor's degree in Education - Physical Education, Bachelor of Science - Anthropology, University of Northern Iowa, 1985. NSCA strength coach since 1985, coached 20 NSCA All-Americans, past Russian Kettlebell Certified.

Playing experience: UNI rugby 1981-1985 (eight seasons, 1985 MVP), Central football letterman 1982, Dysart-Geneseo HS, 4 yrs.

Lives in Dysart with wife, Gloria, and three kids: Trev (graduate school American University), Tate (senior at UNI), and Tori (12th grade Union).

Hobbies: Union FCA huddle coach since 2007, kettlebells, weightlifting, traveling with my wife and kids, building boys into champions, mentoring men, and reading leadership books.