Quarterbacks
Memphis, 1996
8th Season at Idaho State
208-282-4909
Recruiting: Utah, Arizona, Las Vegas Joe Borich enters his eighth year with the Bengals in 2006, and his sixth as quarterbacks coach. He coached running backs in his first year and receivers in 2000. Under Borich's watch, Idaho State has become a quarterback factory. Two seasons ago Mark Hetherington threw for 3,192 yards, the third-most in ISU history. Hetherington threw for 300-yards five times during the season, and he and freshman Matt Hagler combined for 465 yards at Portland State. The 2004 season continued a string of success stories for Borich while at Idaho State. In 2003 under Borich, the Bengals had a pair of quarterbacks throw for 300 yards, the first time since the 1983 that that had occurred. Borich also saw Mark Hetherington climb into the driver's seat and throw for 23 touchdowns, the second-most in school history. Hetherington, who played the equivalent of just eight full games, threw for 2,526 yards, including 453 in the season-finale, the fifth-highest total in school history. In 2002, Bengal quarterbacks set a school record by completing 59.9 percent of their passes. Starter Doug Baughman had a phenomenal year under Borich, throwing for 2,936 yards and 21 touchdowns with a 134.5 quarterback rating, third-best in school history. Those numbers bettered Baughman's 2001 numbers of 2,638 yards passing and efficiency rating of 132.4. In 2000, the receivers thrived under Borich, consistently pulling in big catches. Bengal receivers totalled 179 catches, accounting for 81.4 percent of all passes caught by Idaho State. They also totalled 18 touchdowns as well. Two freshmen, Brett Fowler and Jerrold Wilkerson, flourished under Borich, combining for 26 catches, 560 yards, and eight touchdowns. Borich's top receiver, DeRonn Finley, earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors at receiver, a first for a Bengal wideout since 1993, and was an honorable mention All-American. In his first year, Idaho State running back Nick Whitworth rushed for 1,106 yards, the third-best total in single season history at ISU. Borich came to Idaho State from Snow College, where he served on former ISU offensive coordinator Keith Uperesa's staff. Joe served as quarterbacks coach at Snow, and he also assisted in preparing and developing weekly game plans. Borich's quarterbacks helped lead Snow to an 8-2 record in 1998, including a #5 national ranking. One of his pupils, Josh Heupel, eventually transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he led the Sooners to the 2000 I-A National Championship Borich's quarterback knowledge comes from his own collegiate experience. Borich started for two years at Snow College and then went to the University of Memphis, where he also started for two years. A team captain on both squads, Borich was a National Junior College All-America selection while at Snow. Borich was also the featured speaker at the Memphis City Schools Football Banquet. Borich received his bachelor's degree in Physical Education/Fitness Management from Memphis in 1996. Borich has been around sports most of his life. He served as a ball boy for the Utah Jazz from 1985-94, and he was the Locker Room Manager for the Jazz from 1994-97. He also served as the Locker Room Manager for the 1996 Dream Team, featuring Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Karl Malone, and Grant Hill. Borich also worked for Malone's Global Sports, Incorporated. Joe married Megan Borich in the summer of 2005, and he has a stepdaughter, Mykah.