Hall of Fame

Induction Year: 2017

Prior to his arrival at Sandburg, Joe served as a radioman in the Navy during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific on a minesweeper. Upon his return, he began his educational career at Sevastopol High School in Door County, WI, and spent one year in Fulton, IL. Joe arrived at Carl Sandburg in the 1950’s, became the school’s first football coach, and quickly turned the school into a football powerhouse. According to those who knew him, “Devine put Carl Sandburg High School on the map.”

In his sixteen years as Head Coach, Joe amassed an 88-34-5 record. Those around him respected his leadership abilities. Seven of his assistant coaches went on to become head coaches in high school football. Joe was a charter member and the first president of the Illinois High School Football Association where he was instrumental in establishing the State Football Championships. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Coaches Hall of Fame on April 15, 1978. In addition to being the head football coach, Joe served as the Athletic Director of Carl Sandburg High School. He is often credited for establishing many of the successful programs that we still have today.

After leaving Sandburg, Joe was an assistant football coach at Moraine Valley Community College. Upon retiring, Joe moved to McFarland, Wisconsin where he lived with his wife of 59 years, Jean, until his passing in 2004.