 The
mere mention of Joe Siesel’s name brings to mind an
offensive and defensive lineman second to none in the annals
of Bellevue Redmen football.
During his four-year playing career with the Redmen, Siesel
helped the team compile a 30-31 overall record (1959-62).
Siesel played on the 3-0-1 junior varsity Redmen squad in
1959 before turning his attention to the varsity squad in
1960. That season, he helped guide the team to a 7-3 overall
mark, earning First Team All-Northern Ohio League defensive
honors along the way.
The next two seasons (1961, 1962), Siesel and the Redmen put
up back-to-back undefeated ( 9-0) seasons. In 1961, Siesel
was once again First Team All-NOL on defense and was
honorable mention All-Ohio. In 1962, as a senior, Siesel was
named the team’s Most Valuable Lineman, was All-NOL first
team on both offense and defense, was All-Ohio first team
defense, and was also a team co-captain.
Bowling Green State University was the next stop for Siesel,
who was voted the freshman team’s outstanding offensive
lineman during a 5-0 season in 1963.
The following year, Siesel earned his first college varsity
award for the 9-1 MAC champion Falcons, coached by Doyt
Perry. His second varsity award came a year later as a
junior in 1965, when he was also voted honorable mention All
MAC for the 7-2 MAC champion Falcons.
During his senior season in 1966, Siesel piled up the honors
while earning his third varsity award. He was second team
All-MAC despite playing in only five games due to an ankle
injury. The team finished 6-3 that season, and Siesel also
finished fourth in the MAC in punting with a 39.4 yards per
kick average. He was voted Most Valuable Lineman and
received the Mr. Tackle Award from his teammates and
coaches.
Siesel was drafted by the New York Giants of the National
Football League in 1966, playing in all five exhibition
games, then spent the season with the Westchester Bulls,
where he started all 12 games at linebacker.
In 1967, he was signed by the Ottawa Roughriders of the
Canadian Football League but an ankle injury ended his
career. He then entered the high school coaching ranks that
same season, with Wadsworth High School, where he stayed
until 1972.
His coaching career continued in 1973 with the 9-1 Fremont
Ross Little Giants, followed by two seasons with Massillon
(15-5 overall) before returning to Fremont in 1976, where he
coached until his retirement in 1992. Siesel served as
defensive coordinator throughout his coaching career. |
