COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University head football coach Gary Fasching '81 announced the hiring of Rocori High School head coach James Herberg as a defensive assistant on Thursday, May 15.
 
Herberg led the Spartans to eight state tournament appearances - four as a defensive assistant (2009-17) and four more as head coach (2018-24), including Minnesota Class AAAA state championships in 2011 and 2019, and a state runner-up finish in 2023. In all, Rocori boasted a 50-23 record with Herberg as head coach.
 
"I am incredibly blessed to be joining the Saint John's football staff and the tradition it carries with it," Herberg said. "Moving up to college coaching has always been a long-term goal of mine if the right situation presented itself. Saint John's was always the top choice, and this can only be described as a dream job for me. I want to thank God for bringing me and my family's journey to Collegeville and I look forward to building strong relationships with the people at this remarkable university."
 
A native of Cold Spring and a 2009 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, Herberg joined Rocori's football staff in 2009 and was the defensive coordinator in 2011 when the Spartans won their first Minnesota Class AAAA state championship.
 
"I am thrilled that we were able add a coach like James Herberg to our coaching staff," Fasching said. "James has had great success at Rocori High School, where he won state championships as both a defensive coordinator and head coach. 
 
"I have watched his teams over the years and have always been impressed with his coaching style. They are always well-coached, fundamentally sound and play the game the right way. James understands how to build winning teams and how to build young men of character. James will coach our defensive backs and will be a dynamic recruiter for our program. He will be a great addition to our staff."
 
The Johnnies travel north for an exhibition game against the Winnipeg Rifles of the Canadian Junior Football League, scheduled for noon this Saturday (May 17) at Winnipeg's Maple Grove Rugby Park. '
 
SJU reports to campus on Friday, Aug. 15, with its first practice scheduled for the following day. The Johnnies open the 2025 season with a 1 p.m. kickoff Sept. 13 against Minnesota-Morris in Clemens Stadium.