Joel Hirsch enters his second season at Lincoln University (PA) as the Offensive Coordinator. He spent the previous nine seasons at Fort Valley State University, the last three as Offensive Coordinator and last six as Quarterback Coach.
During his three seasons as Offensive Coordinator, Hirsch guided one of the SIAC's most productive offenses, averaging 357.9 yards per game, 5.9 yards per play, and scoring 119 touchdowns. His offensive success was highlighted by three consecutive SIAC rushing champions. In 2022, Emanuel Wilson, who went on to play for the Green Bay Packers, rushed for 1,252 yards and earned both SIAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors. Over the next two seasons, Brandon Marshall carried on that tradition, rushing for 958 and 926 yards, respectively, while earning SIAC Newcomer of the Year honors and First Team All-SIAC recognition. Hirsch's own quarterback position saw Kelvin Durham earn the 2022 SIAC Newcomer and Freshman of the Year and First Team All-SIAC awards where he averaged 199.4 yards passing per game. In his three seasons as Offensive Coordinator, the wildcats had five offensive players compete in the HBCU Legacy Bowl (Emanuel Wilson, Emanuel Boone, Corintheus Edmonds, Brandon Marshall and Dejuan Bell).
During the 2024 season, Hirsch directed the FVSU offense to 33.9 points per contest in the 10 games – his offense recorded 42-plus points in seven of the 10 outings, second most points per game in the SIAC. Also in 2024, Hirsch’s quarterback Kelvin Durham broke the all-time career passing yards record in school history.
In 2023, Hirsch guided the Wildcats to 327 points over 11 games including helping the team in a 23-10 win in the Inaugural Florida Beach Bowl over Johnson C. Smith. FVSU averaged 29.7 points and 313.5 yards per contest in its 8-3 season. The offensive unit also had an 84.2% redzone efficiency rating.
During his first year as offensive coordinator, the Wildcats registered 300 points in their 10-game schedule for a 30.0 point average of the 8-2 season. The FVSU offense posted the SIAC's top total offense numbers of 393.9 yards per contest, while it was second in rushing (188.5 ypg) and fourth in passing (205.4 ypg).
As the quarterback coach before 2022, Hirsch helped Slade Jarman earn 2019 SIAC Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and All-Region Two Third Team.
A native of Michigan City, Indiana, Hirsch attended Michigan City High School before continuing his academic and athletic career at Trine University in Angola, Indiana. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from Trine before receiving a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Fort Valley State University in December 2018.
