San Diego Athletics

Joe Staab enters his third season with the Toreros in 2020 as the nickelbacks coach. He has spent 11 total seasons at USD, rising through the team’s ranks as both a player and a coach, and has won a combined nine championships with the program so far. 

Under Staab’s leadership in 2019, the Toreros enjoyed a productive season defensively, with his players contributing to the team ranking of No. 3 in the FCS in passes intercepted (19) and No. 10 in turnovers gained (27). 

Within the PFL, USD was in the top five of multiple defensive categories, including pass defense efficiency (No. 3), total defense (No. 3), and rushing defense (No. 2).  

Staab helped nickelback and linebacker Kama Kamaka earn All-PFL First Team after he led the team in tackles and forced fumbles.

A 2008 graduate of USD, Staab began his coaching career with the Toreros in 2009 immediately after his playing career ended. He was a four-year player for the Toreros on defense and special teams and capped his career by being named team’s Special Teams Player of the Year as a senior. 

In his first stint coaching with the Toreros from 2009 to 2012, Staab helped coach USD’s defensive backs and special teams before being promoted to the safeties coach and recruiting coordinator.

Following his first stint with USD, Staab moved on to join former Torero head coach Ron Caragher — who he played for from 2006 to 2008 —  at San Jose State. With the Spartans, Staab tutored safeties and outside linebackers from 2013 to 2016, as well as worked as the program’s camp coordinator. He helped lead the Spartans to a second-ranked pass defense and a 2015 Cure Bowl Championship.

In addition to Staab’s on-field responsibilities at San Jose State, he also guided his players to academic success in the classroom as the team’s academic liaison. In 2013, 16 Spartans were named to the Academic All-Mountain West team, tying a then school record for most in one season.

Staab gained experience in the NFL in 2015 when he was a defensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers.

Following his experience with the 49ers, he became the defensive coordinator at Division II Notre Dame College (OH) in addition to coaching the team’s linebackers. With the Falcons from 2016 to 2018, Staab’s defense ranked consistently near the top of the Mountain East Conference and had seven all-conference players.

In May 2018, Staab returned to his alma mater and rejoined the Toreros’ coaching staff under current head coach Dale Lindsey.

Staab is a local to San Diego and a graduate of Grossmont High.