Jeff Pedersen ’02 serves as recruiting coach for the Pioneer football program, moving over from the role of head coach in the fall of 2019.
He was successful from the start while serving as the Pioneers’ interim coach in 2010, earning Midwest Coach of the Year honors while leading Grinnell to its first winning season since 2004. Grinnell finished up 6-4, while going 5-4 in the league. Among the highlights were scoring 45 points against Macalester College, the most by a Grinnell team in any game since 2004 and the most in a season opener since 1998. Grinnell also defeated Monmouth College, the two-time defending MWC champion, after being outscored by a combined score of 170-0 in the three previous meetings with the Fighting Scots.
The win total his initial year was the most by a first-year Grinnell head coach since 1917, and largest single-season increase by a first-year head coach since 1905.
Grinnell enjoyed a historical mark in the 2016 season when Ryan Slager '19 led the nation in tackles, a feat which he repeated in 2017. He finished as the career tackles per game leader in the history of the NCAA, regardless of level.
Pedersen, who is also a member of the track and field coaching staff, returned to Grinnell in 2008 after serving on the Pioneers’ football staff from 2003-2006. He earned a degree in history in 2002 from Grinnell, after which he earned his master’s degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy.
Pedersen served as offensive coordinator and head strength and conditioning coach at The Catholic University of America. He also was tight ends and wide receivers coach at the school from 2006-2007. Prior to that while at Grinnell, Pedersen was the Pioneers’ offensive coordinator, head strength and conditioning coach and Fitness Center director. Before that, Pedersen was an assistant coach at the University of Chicago for the 2002 season.
A two-time All-America tight end, Pedersen set school records for receptions in a single season for the Pioneers in 1999 and also completions in a season while serving as quarterback in 2001. He was a four-time All-Midwest Conference performer and participant in the 2001 Division III Aztec Bowl, which pitted D-III All-Stars against the top players in Mexico.
Jeff and his wife Jordan Esbrook ’01 have two daughters, Frances Belle and Nora Jane.
