Bio

Joe Tautges took over as the Warriors head baseball coach in the fall of 2014 with his first season on the diamond leading Waldorf being the spring of 2015.

Prior to being named head coach, Tautges served three seasons as an assistant coach for the Warriors.

During the 2020-21 season, the Waldorf baseball team proved its power, setting a new single-season record with 60 home runs as Waldorf went 20-30 on the season and finished fourth in the NSAA with a 3-14 league record. Alejandro Gonzalez, Angel Mojica, and Justin Nock earned All-NSAA honors and were named Gold Gloves as shortstop, third baseman, and catcher, respectively, while teammates Thomas Capllonch, Heath Chapman, Jack Muhleck, Tarquin Daley, and Nic Tebeau also earned All-NSAA honors.

The previous season, shortened by COVID, saw Waldorf go 5-16, with six players earning NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors in the shortened season.

Prior to the 2019-20 season, Waldorf steadily increased its win total each season under Tautges' leadership with the Warriors compiling a 30-22 record in the spring of 2019, and finishing as North Star Athletic Association runner-up champions with an 18-6 conference record. 10 Warrior players also were honored as All-NSAA performers from the team, and Waldorf pitcher Dylan Hoffman was drafted by the San Diego Padres following the season.

The previous year, Waldorf compiled a 20-30 record in 2018 and finished fifth in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) with a 13-10 league record. Seven Warrior baseball players earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2018 season, 16 Waldorf baseball players earned NSAA Scholar-Athlete honors, and four were named to the NSAA All-Conference Team, including NSAA Gold Glove 2nd baseman Joey Ponder.

The Warriors posted a 19-37 record during the 2017 campaign, finished 9-15 in North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) play and received the No. 7 seed in the NSAA Tournament to qualify for the postseason for the second straight year. Waldorf's season included a 13-7 upset win over Clarke University, which entered the matchup ranked No. 11 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) poll. Four Waldorf players capped the season with all-conference honors, which included two second-team all-conference selections. With a commitment to academic excellence, the Warriors closed out the year with four NAIA Scholar-Athletes and 16 NSAA Scholar-Athletes.

During the 2016 season, Tautges led the Warriors to an 18-33 record and 13-11 mark in the NSAA standings. Waldorf received the No. 6 seed in the NSAA Tournament to earn its first postseason appearance since 2011. Four Warrior players garnered all-conference honors, which included a first-team all-conference selection and the NSAA Freshman of the Year. Four Waldorf players were honored as NAIA Scholar-Athletes while nine players earned NSAA Scholar-Athlete recognition.

A native of Brainerd, Minn., Tautges graduated from Brainerd High School in 2002. After high school, Tautges attended Waldorf College where he earned an associate's degree before transferring to the University of Evansville in 2004. In 2005, Tautges transferred back to Waldorf where he earned a bachelor's degree in Foundations of Education in 2007. Tautges played baseball at Waldorf and at the University of Evansville and was an assistant coach under former head coach Chad Gassman in 2007.

While playing at Waldorf, Tautges was an all-conference selection in 2004 and led the conference in doubles. He also owned the team's top batting average and led the team in home runs, doubles, and RBIs. Tautges played in the Northwoods League for the Brainerd Blue Thunder in 2005, finishing third on the team in hitting.

In 2007, Tautges moved back to Brainerd where he coached the Brainerd Legion Baseball Team, leading them to the District Tournament.

Tautges is married to his wife, Katie, who works at Belmond Specialty Hospital in outpatient registration. They have four children, Ava, Shea, Jayse, and Joby, and reside in Belmond.