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Wayne State University Athletics

Joe Hensel 2020-21 head shot

Joe Hensel

UPDATED January 16, 2023
 
  • Completed third year at WSU in fall of 2022
  • Tutored 34 Academic All-GLIAC selections in his three years at WSU
  • 2022 was his 13th year coaching in the college ranks

Joe Hensel joined the Wayne State University football staff as the offensive line coach in August of 2020 after spending the previous six seasons (2014-19) at Carthage College in Wisconsin.  The 2022 campaign was his third year on the WSU staff.

This past fall, offensive tackle Blake Bustard earned First Team All-GLIAC recognition as well as Honorable Mention All-America accolades from the Don Hansen Football Committee.  In addition, nine of his student-athletes garnered Academic All-GLIAC honors, including five on the Excellence Team (cumulative GPA 3.5+).

During the 2021 campaign, he guided First Team All-GLIAC performer Landin Mitchell, and Second Team All-GLIAC honoree Lane Potter.  Potter was also the GLIAC's McAvoy Award Winner (which is presented annually to a GLIAC football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the community ) as well as a Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-American.  WSU ranked second in the GLIAC in both third-down conversion percentage (40%) and yards per completion (13.1), and third in rushing yards per game (181.5), yards per carry (4.8), total offense per game (359.5) and first downs per game (18.5).

In addition, eight student-athletes (Chuckie Anthony, Landin Mitchell, Noah Nicklin, Lane Potter, Ty Potter, Mohamed Saad, Tyler Schompert and Reid Thompson) were named to the 2021 GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team for maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, while four others (Cooper Kukal, Chrishoun Roberts, Charles Wesley and Joe Ziedas) earned GLIAC All-Academic honors.

In his first year with the Warriors, Hensel tutored 13 Academic All-GLIAC honorees, including 11 offensive linemen on the All-Academic Excellence Team for maintaining a 3.5 or better cumulative GPA.

After concluding his playing career at Hope College in 2006, Hensel began his coaching career as the offensive line and defensive line coach at Holland High School in 2007.  He spent the following two seasons (2008 and 2009) as the offensive line coach at Lapeer East High School.

Hensel was the offensive line graduate assistant coach for two years (2010 and 2011) at Ferris State before joining Butch Jones' staff at the University of Cincinnati in 2012.  The Bearcats compiled a 10-3 record in 2012, including a win over Duke in the Belk Bowl after earning a share of the Big East title.

Hensel served as a graduate assistant coach at Kent State in 2013 before heading to Carthage College.

In his first two years with the Red Men, he served as the defensive line coach, before transitioning to offensive line coach in 2016 and 2017.  In 2018, he coached both the offensive line and defensive line at CC, prior to serving as the co-offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator in 2019.  The 2016 squad rushed for 21 touchdowns.

A native of North Branch, Mich., Hensel was a Second Team All-MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Offensive Lineman in 2006 after helping Hope to an undefeated (7-0) conference record, along with an NCAA playoff game at Mount Union.  A four-year letterwinner, he was also a member of Hope's Dean's List.  In addition, he was a member of the Flying Dutchmen's 2003 NCAA Division III Playoff squad.

Hensel and his wife, Laura, are the proud parents of two daughters, Delsie and Quinn.

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Hensel helped coach the following NFL players, while they were in college (year Hensel coached them):

Travis Kelce, Tight End, Univ. of Cincinnati (2012)
  • NFL Third Round selection, five-time Pro Bowl selection with the Kansas City Chiefs
Sam Longo, Center, Univ. of Cincinnati (2012)
  • NFL Tryout; Played in CFL (Winnipeg) and Arena Football League
Eric Lefeld, Guard, Univ. of Cincinnati (2012)
  • NFL Tryout with the Atlanta Falcons
Parker Ehinger, Tackle, Univ. of Cincinnati (2012)
  • NFL Fourth Round selection, currently with the Baltimore Ravens
George Winn, Running Back, Univ. of Cincinnati (2012)
  • Was on NFL rosters from 2013 through 2017
Dri Archer, Running Back, Kent State (2013)
  • NFL Fourth Round selection; played with the Pittsburgh Steelers

He also coached the following All-League players:

Jake Hancock, two-time (2010 and 2011) Second Team All-GLIAC, Offensive Line, Ferris State
Eric Lefeld, 2012 First Team All-Big East, Tackle, Univ. of Cincinnati
Parker Ehinger, 2012 Football Writers Association of American Freshman All-America squad, Univ. of Cincinnati
Austin Bujnoch, 2012 First Team All-Big East, Guard, Univ. of Cincinnati
Terrence Allen, 2015 First Team All-CCIW, Defensive End, Carthage College
Pete Laughlin, 2016 First Team All-CCIW, Defensive Line, Carthage College
Isaiah Trussell, three-time All-CCIW (First Team in 2016 and 2017; Second Team in 2015), Offensive Line, Carthage College
Chris Goldschmidt, two-time (2016 and 2018) Second Team All-CCIW, Offensive Line, Carthage College
Cam Cotter, 2017 Second Team All-CCIW, Offensive Line, Carthage College
Javier Rhodes, three-time (2014, 2015 and 2016) Second Team All-CCIW, Tight End, Carthage College
Sean Wells, 2017 Second Team All-CCIW, Tight End, Carthage College
Jamel Davis, 2017 Second Team All-CCIW, Running Back, Carthage College
Lafayette McGary, 2018 First Team All-CCIW, Running Back, Carthage College
Landin Mitchell, 2021 First Team All-GLIAC, Left Tackle, Wayne State University
Lane Potter, 2021 Second Team All-GLIAC, Offensive Line, Wayne State University
Blake Bustard, 2022 First Team All-GLIAC, Right Tackle, Wayne State University