Dr. Joe Hernandez credits his success in life to the values of education and faith instilled by his parents, who had limited formal schooling. Growing up in Nogales, Arizona, near the U.S.–Mexico border, Hernandez said, “Even though they didn’t have any education, they instilled in all of us the value of an education. I am where I am today because of NAU and Lumberjack football. My parents could never have afforded to send me to college.”
In 1969, Hernandez was recruited by Northern Arizona University (NAU) head coach John Symank and assistant Lamar McCann. His high school coach, also an NAU alumnus, helped facilitate the opportunity that led Hernandez from Nogales to Flagstaff.
“It was quite an experience,” Hernandez said about leaving home for Flagstaff. “Everybody spoke Spanish in Nogales … even the dogs barked in Spanish. So coming up to Flagstaff was very much a culture shock.” He added that his transition included overcoming language barriers: “My mom never spoke a word of English. When I came up to NAU, that’s when I realized I wasn’t very proficient in English. It took me a while, but thank God I got it done.”
Hernandez noted that student-athletes at the time did not have access to the academic support systems available today. “It was more like sink or swim,” he said with a laugh. “We were expected to go to class and get it done. I had some good friends and teammates who helped me and I made it work.”
After graduating from NAU, Hernandez began his career as a defensive coordinator at Douglas High School before coaching at Eastern Arizona College and pursuing graduate studies. He eventually earned both master’s and doctorate degrees. Reflecting on his academic achievements, he stated, “I wanted my parents to see me walk. That was my way of thanking them for instilling that value in me.”
Hernandez spent decades as a teacher, coach, and high school administrator, focusing on helping students facing similar challenges with language or economic barriers succeed through education. “I’ve always told the kids I work with that education is their vehicle to success,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be college; it could be vocational school, but they need something to fall back on, especially if they are a minority.”
As a standout linebacker for the Lumberjacks during his senior year at NAU, Hernandez led the team in tackles and interceptions. He recalled his focus during that period: “I was blessed that God gave me a little bit of athletic ability,” he said. “My senior year, I really focused on being the best I could be on and off the field.” He emphasized how football opened opportunities: “NAU football gave me my education,” Hernandez said. “Without it, none of what came after would have been possible.”
Hernandez has maintained strong ties with NAU since retiring by donating to athletics scholarships and supporting projects such as the Student-Athlete High Performance Center alongside former teammates: “When Mike Nesbitt approached us about helping with the center, I wanted to be part of it,” he said.
He remains active within Arizona’s high school sports community by assisting with state playoff events: “I’m a retired athletic director,” he said. “But I still like to be around the game and the people who make it special.”
Family remains central for Hernandez as well: “My mom was the rock of our family,” he said. He shared pride in his siblings’ accomplishments across sports and service fields—one brother won a national championship at Arizona Western College; another became an All-American baseball player; one sister graduated from NAU; another brother served nearly thirty years in the military.
The commitment to education continues into another generation: “I’m very proud of my kids,” Hernandez said. “They’re my pride and joy. One of my sons is a captain with the Goodyear Fire Department, my daughter is a portfolio manager for Goldman Sachs, and her sister is pursuing a nursing degree.”
Hernandez credits his mother’s words—“You can do what you want in your life”—as guiding him throughout his journey from Nogales through collegiate athletics into educational leadership.
