MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College Athletics announced today that Head Men's Soccer Coach
Joe Luedke is stepping down from his position after 26 seasons leading the Warriors. Luedke will transition into a full-time role as Director of Coaching for Elmbrook United Soccer Club.
"I thank God for bringing Wisconsin Lutheran College into my life," said Luedke. "The past 26 years have been a tremendous blessing to my family and me, and I am grateful to Paul Knueppel and Skip Noon for trusting me with the opportunity to begin a career in college soccer. The Christ-centered mission of WLC truly sets this institution apart, and I have been fortunate to serve at such a special place."
Luedke continued: "I am thankful for every player who has been a part of the men's soccer program—the relationships and memories we shared will always remain close to my heart. I extend my sincere appreciation to my longtime assistants—Brian Ardellini, Logan Fye, and Jon Stewart—as well as my current staff, for their dedication to our student-athletes. I am especially grateful to
Adam Heinzen for his tireless service to Warriors Athletics and for his example of servant leadership."
Luedke, the second-longest tenured head men's soccer coach in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, departs as the winningest coach in program history with 161 career victories.
Under Luedke's leadership, WLC recorded three seasons with 10 or more wins, including a school-record 11 victories in 2012. In 2007, he was named NAC Coach of the Year after guiding Wisconsin Lutheran to its first-ever 10-win season in program history. Over his 26 seasons, the Warriors qualified for the conference tournament 15 times.
One of the program's most notable postseason runs came in 2016, when WLC entered the conference tournament as the No. 6 seed and upset No. 3 MSOE and No. 1 Dominican in consecutive matches, coming one game shy of an NCAA Tournament berth. More recently, Wisconsin Lutheran achieved a milestone in 2024, earning its first-ever regional ranking after posting the best start to a season in program history at 7-2-2.
Luedke's impact extended well beyond wins and losses, as he developed 36 different players who earned a combined 86 all-conference honors, including the program's first All-American,
Puma Galvan, in 2022. His players also included 12 First Team All-Conference selections and six All-Region performers.
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Joe Luedke has had an extraordinary impact on our men's soccer program," said Director of Athletics
Jeremiah Hoffmann. "For more than two decades, he led with integrity, faith, and a genuine care for his student-athletes. We are deeply grateful for his dedication, leadership, and the legacy he leaves behind. While we will miss Joe's presence on the sidelines, we celebrate his many contributions to Warriors Athletics and wish him every blessing in what lies ahead."
Assistant coach
Stu Sain will assume interim head coaching responsibilities while Wisconsin Lutheran conducts a nationwide search for the next head men's soccer coach, which will begin immediately.
