Joe Pawlak was named Western Michigan’s Offensive Line Coach in 2025, bringing a strong track record of player development and offensive production to the Bronco staff.
Pawlak joins Western Michigan following the 2024 season at the University of Montana, where he served as the Grizzlies’ offensive line coach. Under his leadership, Montana ranked 26th in the FCS in total offense (410.4 yards/game) and 18th in scoring offense (33.4 points/game).
Before his time in Missoula, Pawlak spent five seasons coaching the offensive line at the University of North Dakota. During his tenure, the Fighting Hawks reached the FCS Playoffs four times and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2021. While at UND, he coached standout linemen Kyle Hergel (New Orleans Saints) and All-American Matt Waletzko, who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His offensive lines consistently anchored one of the top rushing attacks in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Pawlak’s coaching background also includes three seasons as a graduate assistant at Iowa and two years at his alma mater, Northern Illinois. As a player, Pawlak was a three-year starting offensive lineman for the Huskies, appearing in 52 career games. He was part of NIU’s 2011 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship team and helped lead an offense that broke 12 single-season records while ranking 10th nationally in fewest sacks allowed.
A native of Illinois, Pawlak earned his bachelor's degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois in 2011. He went on to complete a master’s degree in Sports Management from NIU in 2015 and a second master's degree in Leisure and Recreational Sports Management from Iowa in 2018. He is joined in Kalamazoo by his wife, Natalie.
Coaching Timeline
- 2025–Present – Western Michigan (Offensive Line Coach)
- 2024 – Montana (Offensive Line Coach)
- 2019–2023 – North Dakota (Offensive Line Coach)
- 2016–2018 – Iowa (Graduate Assistant – Offensive Line)
- 2014–2015 – Northern Illinois (Graduate Assistant – Offensive Line)
