(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.)-The athletics director
Terry Connor and head football coach
Chris Norwell have announced Joe Kreinsen as the new offensive line and run game coordinator on Monday, February 6.
Kreinsen comes to Thomas More after serving as the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator at Lake Erie College in 2022 and offensive line coach in 2021. Kreinsen contributed to the most successful seasons in Lake Erie's history. In 2022, Lake Erie had 3 conference wins, the most in the last decade, and in 2021, Lake Erie had its best season as a D2 NCAA program finishing with a 5-6 record.
In Kreinsen's first season as an offensive coordinator in 2022, his offense was the best in recent history, improving the offense in points per game (23.5) and total yards per game (368). Kreinsen's offense finished first in passing yards in the GMAC and 10th in the country (3199).
Kreinsen's offense broke several school records including the school's first 1000-yard receiver, most receiving yards in a game (207), and most career receiving yards in school history (2659). Five players from Lake Eries's offense went on to receive all GMAC awards. In 2021, Kreinsen's offensive line paved the way for the GMAC leading rusher and freshman of the year.
Prior to Lake Erie, Kreinsen was an offensive graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh (2019-2020). Kreinsen got to work with Jimmy Morrissey who was one of the top centers in college football. Morrissey was a three-time All-ACC performer and the 2020 recipient of the Burlsworth Trophy, annually presented to the most outstanding player in college football who began his career as a walk-on. Morrisey went on to get drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.
During the 2018 season, Kreinsen was the offensive line coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in southern California.
Kreinsen also served as a UMass Amherst offensive graduate assistant for three seasons (2014-16) and also served a year as assistant director of football operations (2017). In the latter capacity, he assisted in the program's daily administrative functions and also was the Minutemen's liaison for visiting NFL scouting departments.
During his time at UMass, Kreinsen was instrumental in the development of two NFL prospects. Offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson who is entering his 7th season with the Atlanta Falcons, and Jack Driscoll who enters his 3rd season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I am thrilled to announce Joe Kreinsen as our offensive line coach and Run Game Coordinator," says Norwell. "Joe brings a coaching resume in several different collegiate levels and also division 2 GMAC coordinator experience to the offensive staff room. I am excited to have Joe back in his roots leading our offensive line and developing the young men in our program."
A native of Natick, Massachusetts Kreinsen was a standout football player and wrestler at Natick High school earning an all-conference selection in both sports. Kreinsen played football for Tom Lamb and wrestled for Bob Anniballi both in the Massachusetts hall of fame for their respective sports.
Kreinsen graduated in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Westfield State, where he also captained the football team. A four-year starter on the offensive line, he earned All-New England Football Conference (NEFC) honors as a senior. Kreinsen was also decorated for his classroom achievements. He was the 2014 recipient of the DeOrmond Tuss McLaughry Award, presented annually to the outstanding college football scholar-athlete in Western Massachusetts. He is only the 2nd recipient from Westfield State to win the award in the past 40 years. He was a three-time NEFC All-Academic selection and received induction into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's Hampshire Honor Society. In addition to his undergraduate studies at Westfield State, Kreinsen also holds a master's degree in labor studies from Massachusetts. Kreinsen is married to Roberta De Crescenzo.
Kreinsen will get to work with the offensive line as spring practice gets underway. Football will return to the field in September to compete in their 2023 campaign.
