Joe Klanderman spent five seasons as the defensive backs coach at North Dakota State University from 2014 through 2018. He was part of four FCS national championship teams and five Missouri Valley Football Conference titles with the Bison.
Klanderman led a defensive backs unit that helped North Dakota State lead the FCS with 23 interceptions in 2018, ranked third in 2017 and fifth in 2014 and 2016. The Bison allowed the nation's third-fewest passing yards in 2017, averaging 147.9 per game.
He coached three All-America safeties including Colten Heagle, the school's all-time leader in solo tackles, and Tre Dempsey and Robbie Grimsley, who each finished their careers second in school history with 16 and 17 interceptions, respectively.
Klanderman also tutored all-conference performers Christian Dudzik, CJ Smith and James Hendricks. Smith played with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 and Cleveland Browns in 2017 as an undrafted free agent.
Klanderman was a three-year starter on the defensive line for Minnesota State Mankato from 1997-2001 and spent 12 seasons on the Mavericks staff starting in 2002. He was a defensive line coach until moving to the secondary in 2005 and was elevated to the defensive coordinator role in 2007 as well as coaching the linebackers.
Klanderman earned a bachelor's degree in social studies in 2001 and a master's degree in sports administration in 2004 from MSU.
He and his wife, Amanda, are the parents of four children, Elle, Corryn, Jarrett and James.
