ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Head football coach Matt McCarty announced today, Monday, February 27, that former Red Raider football player and current graduate assistant Josh Fakkema has been promoted to the role of offensive coordinator for the Northwestern football program.
“Josh is a Raider. He has been a big part of our program for six of the last seven seasons as a player and an assistant,” notes McCarty. “He has helped build a great culture within our program and I am excited to see his leadership of our offense.”
Returning to Northwestern prior to the 2022 campaign, the Blaine, Wash. native served as a graduate assistant for one season at Clarion University (Pa.), a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II program, and coached the tight ends.
“I am beyond thankful for my time as a Raider, developing relationships with the coaches and the community. I would like to thank President Christy, Dr. Parker, and Coach McCarty for this opportunity,” said Fakkema. “I feel very honored and blessed with the opportunity to step into this position. I know there are a lot of high expectations that come with Raider Football and I can’t wait to get rolling here with spring ball next month.”
He came back for his Covid fifth-year in 2020 and was a tight end on the team that finished the season as National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Runners-up. In that season, he sat fourth on the team in receiving yards (351), while brining down 19 catches and two touchdown grabs.
In his Red Raider career, he brought in 47 catches for 664 yards and six touchdowns. He had a long of 78 yards and averaged 14.1 yards per catch and 15.8 yards per game. He was a three-time All-Conference performer on the football field and was a team captain in 2020.
He replaces former offensive coordinator Jake Menage, who departed after the 2022 season for a position at his alma mater, South Dakota State University. He will continue his graduate assistant duties with the baseball program through the 2023 season.
Fakkema, a 2021 graduate of Northwestern College, graduated with a degree in physical education and a minor in health. He is pursuing a master’s in Athletic Administration and Coaching from Concordia University, St. Paul (Minn.). While at Northwestern, Fakkema played both baseball and football for the Red Raiders.
