The hiring of Josh Woodrich as the Boys Varsity Head Golf Coach solidifies a trifecta of new acquisitions this offseason.  The Owatonna golf landscape is poised to hit the ground running in 2025.

Owatonna High School 2015 alum Maddie Meyer was the first ball to drop when she was appointed as the next skipper of the Girls Golf Program at OHS.  The second piece to the local golfing puzzle was put in play when Owatonna Country Club dubbed Dayne Hahn the next Head Golf Professional in early December.  Woodrich, a 2011 grad from Owatonna, finished the movement on the golf front when he was promoted to Boys Varsity Head Golf Coach after serving as the Owatonna Middle School head coach since 2019.

Woodrich has started his career as an active member in the Owatonna community as both a teacher and coach.  He is a sixth grade English and Science educator at Owatonna Middle School.  Although this is his first head varsity coaching assignment, Woodrich is no stranger to being the lead Husky.  He currently serves as the Head JV coach for the Owatonna wrestling program as well as head coach for OMS football.

When asked what he is looking forward to most about the upcoming spring on the links, Woodrich was quick to reply with one focus – the kids.  “I am most looking forward to working with the kids,” Woodrich stated.  “We want to work with the kids on being good golfers and good humans and help them to be successful in whatever they decide to do.”

Woodrich’s staff will include Cole Orlowski, a first-year assistant coach for the golf program.  Orlowski, like Woodrich, is also diversified in his coaching interests and abilities as he serves as the Owatonna Football varsity assistant offensive line coach and JV offensive coordinator.  Woodrich and Orlowski were interconnected prior to joining forces in the golf network. 

When asked about Woodrich, Orlowski had high praise for the new head coach. 

“Josh is one of the nicest human beings I have ever met,” Orlowski said.  “He cares so much about kids in both teaching and coaching and is selfless in the process.  I am excited to work with him.”

Longtime volunteer assistant Mark Rodde will also continue as part of the trio leading the boys golf charge.  Woodrich will look to Rodde with his remarkable abilities as a true technician of the game.

The boys golf team will be led by co-captains Jack Langlois (senior) and Mason Pelinka (junior).  Owatonna also returns an eighth grader in Weston Grimmius – who qualified for the second day of the section tournament last season as an individual.

It is immediately evident that Woodrich is looking forward to the upcoming season.  His passion for education and athletics speaks for itself.  However, he was quick to credit two specific coaches who he feels have played an integral part in helping sculpt him into what he is today. 

“I have lived in Owatonna my whole life and give so much credit to some of the coaches I have had along the way,” Woodrich said. “Coach (Marc) Wiese and Coach (Jerry) Eggermont stand out the most.  Knowing how much my coaches gave to me has really helped me become what I am today.  I want to give back the community that has given so much to me.”

As Woodrich embarks on his new journey as the next Boys Varsity Head Golf Coach, the final puzzle piece has fallen into place in the Owatonna golf terrain.  His trajectory as an educator and mentor to these young student athletes on and off the golf course will forge ahead with only the sky as the limit.

Quiet on the tee…next up for Owatonna High School, Josh Woodrich ladies and gentlemen.

Until next month, hit ‘em long and straight – and most of all have fun!