Wisconsin Football Coaches Association

Joe was born in Berlin WI, graduating from Berlin High School in 1980, where he played football,basketball and baseball. He continued his education and athletic career at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN where he played football and baseball. While at Concordia he was a two-time All-Conference & All-Region selection, and was team captain both his junior and senior seasons. As a senior OLB he set the single season sack record that stood for 38 years. He was inducted into the Concordia Golden Bear Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.

 

LaBuda began his coaching career in Florida where he spent six years at perennial power North Marion High School. He returned to Wisconsin in 1989 as the head football coach at Menomonie High School where he has coached for the past 31 years. During his tenure Menomonie has won 21 Big Rivers Conference titles, five state championships, two state runner-ups, & had 16 teams that advanced to at least the state semifinals. Menomonie also currently has the state record with 30 consecutive playoff appearances. His coaching record stands at (316-59), the highest winning percentage of coaches with 300 wins in Wisconsin. He was selected as the WFCA State Coach of the Year in 1993 and 2002. In 2016 he received the Margie & Dick Rundle Positive Influence of Coaching Award.

 

Joe was the head Baseball coach for five seasons where his teams won 3 conference titles. He was also the head Softball coach for two seasons.

 

During his tenure over 130 players have gone on to further their careers in every level of college football. Joe also has had 25 of his former players coaching either in high school or at all three levels of college football.

 

Joe feels extremely blessed to have had such an incredible group of assistant coaches who stayed together for so many years, and are largely responsible for the success they have achieved. He also feels privileged to have been able to coach the tremendous young men of Menomonie football for the last 31 years.

 

Joe has been happily married to Colette for 25 years and does not know how she puts up with all the highs and lows of coaching for so long, but is so thankful for her constant inspiration. They have two wonderful children Katie and Jace. Joe had the privilege of coaching both of them.