LAKELAND, Fla.—Southeastern University head football coach Keith Barefield has announced the hiring of Norman Joseph as offensive coordinator.
With collegiate coaching experience spanning five decades, Joseph has spent time at all levels of NCAA football and in the NAIA.
“I love the Christian environment and like what Southeastern stands for,” said Joseph. “Looking at our talent and the character of the young men in our program is a big plus.”
Most recently, Joseph served as the quarterback’s coach at Millsaps College.
Joseph has also served as head coach at Mississippi College, Louisiana College, and was the first head coach at Belhaven College. In just the second season of football at Belhaven, Joseph tutored an offensive unit that was the only NAIA team to produce a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver.
In 2009, Joseph led Mississippi College to the American Southwest Conference championship, earning a bid to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. For his efforts, Joseph was named the conference Coach of the Year, and the AFCA Region Coach of the Year.
“I am tremendously pleased to have Norman Joseph join the Fire Football coaching staff as our new Offensive Coordinator. He has a proven track record of success throughout all levels of football as a coach and player,” said Barefield. “He brings to the program a broad background of experience and knowledge that will serve our young men well as we work to continue the standard that has been set for Fire Football.”
Joseph spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at San Jose State University, where in 2002, his group ranked third in the Western Athletic Conference in scoring, and boasted one of the top passing attacks in the NCAA.
In addition to his successes on the field, Joseph has served in coaching leadership on multiple American Football Coaches Association committees, served as Vice President of the NAIA Football Coaches Association, and is active with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Joseph was also appointed to the Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.
Joseph takes over an offense that led the NAIA in scoring at 55.1 points per game last season. The Fire averaged 330 rushing yards per contest, ranking second in the NAIA.
“I’m looking forward to being here and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Joseph. “I’m very familiar with the Mid-South Conference; the teams in this league are very competitive and are very well coached, so we have to be ready every ball game.”
The Fire finished the 2017 season 8-2, won their third consecutive conference title, and made their second NAIA Football Championship Series appearance.
