Joe Mach
Episode 231
3 JULY 2023
He is the Assistant Head Coach of the football team at Detroit Catholic Central High School, where he has been on the staff since 2008. Along the way he coached in two State Championship games and, prior to his promotion this year to his current role, had been promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2018. He was an Undergraduate Assistant Coach at The University of Michigan from 2003-2005, and as a student-athlete playing for Detroit Catholic Central, he was a member of back-to-back state championship teams. He holds a B.S. in Physical Education from The University of Michigan and his father is in multiple Halls of Fame as a football coach.
Notable guest quotes:
“It’s a part of my background that has truly shaped my faith. I’m very realistic with the fact that I could be anywhere right now. I believe God put me there for a reason with them, to have a very strong faith influence and a faith base… I believe this was all part of His plan.”
“My goal is to regularly ask, am I carrying out the mission that You have for me and to pay back that debt of gratitude that I carry with me.”
“I’m… a cradle Catholic. I was raised with the Catholic faith… My father was… in the seminary… so he almost became a priest.”
“As a father now and as a teacher at the school and as a coach, I have a much greater appreciation for the Catholic identity that goes along with the institution that I work at. It makes for a great environment for any young man to be in and I benefited from that when I was younger. There is no question.”
“God gives us many gifts. He doesn’t give us all of ‘em.”
“For somebody like me who was trying to live out his faith on a college campus… I had a great mentor right there… Being in that environment was integral to my development as a Catholic, even though most people view it only as a football experience.”
“I had an opportunity to teach Catechism to middle school age students during my time at University of Michigan.”
“I give all the credit in the world to the Holy Spirit and just kind of had a moment one evening, about the beginning of my sophomore year, kind of like, something’s gotta change.”
“I’ve always believed that football is a great game but only when it teaches great lessons.”
“I believe (football) is the best game out there to teach young men the qualities that they need to go out and really do God’s work… These are the guys who are gonna go out and be warriors for Christ.”
“We’re Catholic educators, we’re coaches, but really, first and foremost, we’re here to spread the kingdom of God.”
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