Joe Brockhoff, a championship-winning baseball coach at East Jefferson High School and Tulane University, passed away at 88 on Monday, June 2, 2025.
He lived alone in the house he moved into with his family back in 1991. His wife, JoAnne Brockhoff, passed away in 2014.
Joe’s remarkable career as a coach at both the high school and collegiate levels left an indelible mark on the sport.
He began his coaching journey at East Jefferson High School, where he led the Warriors to back-to-back Class AAAA state championships in 1971 and 1972.
He was twice named Louisiana’s Coach of the Year for his leadership. After the 1974 season, Joe took over as head coach at Tulane University, succeeding Milt Retif.
Over 19 seasons, he built the Green Wave into a consistent winner, compiling a 641-350-2 record, the second-most wins in any sport in Tulane history.
Under his guidance, the program reached the NCAA Tournament seven times and won three Metro Conference tournament titles in 1979, 1982, and 1992.
Even after retiring from college coaching, Joe remained a sought-after hitting instructor.
We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Coach Joe Brockhoff. One of the main architects of Tulane Baseball, Coach Brockhoff led this program with grace and dignity for 19 seasons, mentoring countless players, coaches and staff while taking Tulane Baseball to new heights. Our thoughts are with the Brockhoff family, as well as everyone whose life was touched by No. 25.
Tulane Baseball
Joe Brockhoff’s Wife Passed Away In 2014
Joe Brockhoff and his wife, JoAnne Fife Brockhoff, were married for 57 years. They have three children: Joey, Bobby, and Brian Brockhoff.
JoAnne was a devoted wife, mother, educator, and faithful servant of her community. She passed away on September 21, 2014, at the age of 75, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
JoAnne was a proud graduate of Tulane University, who dedicated 20 years of her life to teaching elementary school in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
She shared her musical talents as an organist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Waveland. Likewise, she served as music director and Sunday school teacher.
She had supported her husband in Gulf National Enterprises.
JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Helen Fife, sister Dianna Fife, and brother John Fife.
Her warmth, generosity, and steadfast spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery in Diamondhead, Mississippi.
Meanwhile, Joe Brockhoff lived alone in the house he moved into with his family back in 1991. Sadly, he passed away on June 2, 2025.
He was a fiercely independent person who didn’t feel comfortable asking for help. However, due to his health complications, he lived in an assisted living home.
His children, Brian and Joey, had created a GoFundMe fundraiser to facilitate his move to an assisted retirement Home in Slidell.
His funding assistance was denied despite serving on active-duty orders to support US operations in Cuba in 1961-1962.
Nonetheless, Joe and JoAnne’s three children and six grandchildren, Will and Ty Brockhoff, Meagan McDaniel, Collin, Ashlyn, and Avery Brockhoff, survive them.
Joe And JoAnne Brockhoff’s Success With Coastal Vacations
Joe and JoAnne retired in 1993, and they sought a business opportunity to supplement their retirement income.
After years of searching, they discovered Coastal Vacations in 1998, a company that offered tremendous income potential, a universally appealing product, and long-term stability.
Their hard work and dedication earned them the prestigious title of Gold Certified Directors within the organization.
Afterward, they joined the innovative vision of Michael Churchill and Tod Bell’s The Global Abundance Program (G.A.P.), which helped others achieve financial success.
Furthermore, Joe was renowned as one of the nation’s top-hitting instructors. He traveled the country to conduct baseball workshops and market his groundbreaking invention, the SpeedBat, along with his Super 8 Hitting System.
He focused on his passion for baseball while building a sustainable business that will support him well into retirement.
Joe and JoAnne founded Gulf National Enterprises in 1994 and operate under the corporate name in Diamondhead, Mississippi.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Joseph Edward Brockhoff was a catcher at East Jefferson and went to Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College before playing two seasons in the New York Yankees organization.
- He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi.
- He was a member of the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association, the Tulane and MGCCC halls of fame.
- He retired from coaching, and Tulane retired his No. 25 jersey, one of only four jerseys in program history to have that distinction.
