Saint John's University

Joe Vardas is in his 29th season at Saint John's in 2026-27. 

He was named  the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) Central Region Indoor Men's Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020 and has helped SJU to seven total MIAC Championships (one indoor, six outdoor).

Vardas graduated from St. Cloud State University (SCSU) in 1994, where he competed in the jumps and sprints. Vardas completed his master's degree in exercise physiology from SCSU in 1997 and has been an assistant coach at SJU since 1999. 

His scientific background and thorough understanding of technique make him an outstanding jumps, sprints and javelin coach.  Vardas is a level II USA Track and Field certified coach in the jumps and is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Vardas has coached athletes to school records in the long jump, triple jump, javelin, 4x100m and 4x400m relays during his tenure. Saint John's has produced 17 All-Americans in the long and triple jumps, and javelin, since his arrival and one of his protégés, Tom Engwall, qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials in the javelin.

Joe and his wife, Shannon, live in nearby St. Cloud.