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Head Coach Gary Fasching

Bio

  • A 1981 SJU graduate, Fasching (FAH-shing) became the 16th head coach in the 102-year history of Saint John’s football following the 2012 season. He replaced John Gagliardi, who announced his retirement following 60 seasons at SJU, after serving 17 seasons as an assistant football coach and recruiting coordinator at SJU.
  • Fasching is in his 11th season as head football coach at Saint John's in 2023 and is a six-time (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022) MIAC Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA) Hall of Fame in April 2022 and St. Cloud Cathedral's Athletic Hall of Fame in February 2022.

 

 

2022 Season

  • Fasching led SJU (10-2, 7-1 MIAC) to its MIAC-record 36th conference championship and eighth-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2022. The Johnnies reached the NCAA's second round and were ranked as high as No. 6 nationally in the final Division III polls. He was named the MIAC John Gagliardi Coach of the Year for the sixth time in 10 seasons.

2021 Season

  • The Johnnies ended the season with an 11-1 record (8-0 MIAC) in the NCAA's second round. The seven-straight postseason appearances broke the MIAC record held by former head coach John Gagliardi.
  • Wide receiver Ravi Alston '21 was named the Jim Christopherson MIAC Player of the Year.

2019 Season

  • The Johnnies ended the season with a 12-2 record (7-1 MIAC) in the NCAA semifinals.
  • Fasching was named the MIAC John Gagliardi Coach of the Year for the fourth time in seven seasons.

2018 Season

  • SJU (12-1, 8-0 MIAC) won the MIAC title and advanced to the national quarterfinals. The Johnnies ended the season ranked as high as No. 4 nationally.
  • Quarterback Jackson Erdmann ’19 was named the 2018 Gagliardi Trophy recipient, as the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III, and was also named the D3football.com National Offensive Player of the Year and the Jim Christopherson MIAC Player of the Year.
  • Fasching earned the D3football.com West Region Coach of the Year award and was named the MIAC John Gagliardi Coach of the Year for the third time.

2017 Season

  • SJU (9-2, 7-1 MIAC) made its fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs and ended the season ranked No.14 nationally by both the AFCA and D3football.com.

2016 Season

  • The Johnnies (10-2, 7-1 MIAC) advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs for the third consecutive season in 2016. SJU ended the season ranked as high as No. 9 nationally by D3football.com.
  • Linebacker Carter Hanson ’17 was named the Gagliardi Trophy recipient, as the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III.

2015 Season

  • SJU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs for the second consecutive season in 2015 and finished with a 10-2 overall record (7-1 MIAC), ranked No. 10 nationally.

2014 Season

  • The Johnnies advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs and finished with a 10-2 overall record, including a 7-1 mark in MIAC play to claim the program's 32nd conference championship. It was the Johnnies' first MIAC title and first Division III playoff appearance since 2009.

2013 Season

  • First-year head coach Gary Fasching and the Johnnies ended the 2013 season with a 7-3 record (5-3 MIAC), including a 20-18 win at then-No. 2 St. Thomas on Sept. 21.

Awards & Honors (as head coach)

  • Gagliardi Trophy Winners (2): Jackson Erdmann in 2018, Carter Hanson in 2016
  • All-Americans (30)                   
  • All-Region (56)
  • Academic All-Americans (13)
  • Academic All-District (38)
  • MIAC's Elite 22 Award (5): Mateo Cisneros in 2021, Chris Backes in 2019 and 2018, Carter Hanson in 2016 and 2014                                   
  • MIAC Most Valuable Player (3): Ravi Alston in 2021, Jackson Erdmann in 2018, Sam Sura in 2014
  • MIAC’s Mike Stam Award (3): Michael Wozniak in 2022, Seth Morem in 2021, Ben Bartch in 2019, Nathan Brinker in 2018
  • All-MIAC First Team (81)
  • AFCA Good Works Team (5): Michael Wozniak in 2022, Chris Backes in 2020, Ben Bartch in 2019, Jackson Erdmann in 2018, Will Gillach in 2017
  • National Offensive Player of the Year (2): Jackson Erdmann in 2019 and 2018
  • William V. Campbell Trophy Finalists (2): Michael Wozniak in 2022, Carter Hanson in 2016

Accomplishments

  • The Johnnies posted a 164-39 record (120-22 MIAC) with 10 conference titles and 12 postseason appearances (22-11 playoff record), including the 2003 national championship, 2000 national runner-up performance and four national semifinal games during his tenure as an assistant coach.
  • Seventy-two Minnesota High School All-Star game participants attended Saint John's during Fasching's tenure as the Johnnies' recruiting coordinator. Eleven SJU defensive linemen earned a total of 15 All-America honors during his 16 seasons as the program's defensive line coach before switching to linebacker duties in 2012.

Past Experience

  • A three-year starter for the Johnnies at linebacker (1977-78, 1980-81), Fasching graduated from SJU in 1981 with a degree in social science. He earned his master’s degree in sports management from St. Cloud State University in 2000.
  • Prior to joining the Johnnies' coaching staff, Fasching served as the head football coach at St. Cloud Cathedral High School from 1986-95, where he led the Crusaders to the State Class B title in 1992 and 1993. He collected a 57-46 career record over the 10 seasons, the most wins and longest tenure in school history. The 1992 state championship team ended the regular season 4-4 only to win six consecutive games for the title. The momentum turned into a perfect 14-0 record en route to the 1993 state championship and an eventual 21-game win streak.
  • Fasching has also served as the University's McGlynn Fitness Center director and coached the SJU throwers as an assistant with the track and field team. The Johnnies collected three All-America honors, including one national championship, and 10 conference titles under his guidance.

Personal

  • Fasching and his wife, Cindy, have five children, 12 grandchildren and reside in St. Joseph.