Jeff Tarnowski enters is 15^th season on the UW-Eau Claire football coaching staff and his 24^th overall in coaching and currently serves as the Blugolds Tight Ends coach.

As Outside Linebackers coach, Tarnowski was instrumental in guiding the Blugold defense to a top 3 finish in the WIAC during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.  During the 2018 season the Blugolds were 1^st in the WIAC in sacks with 39 total.  Tarnowski coached and mentored one of the premier pass rushers in Blugold football history in Sam Romanski.  Romanski finished his Blugold career as a 2x All-American and was the first Blugold football 2x Defensive All-American since 1982.  Romanski was named 1^st team All-Conference and All-Region during the 2018 and 2019 seasons and ranks 2^nd in total sacks in a season and is 4^th in career sacks in WIAC football history.

Prior to coaching the Outside Linebackers, Tarnowski coached on the offensive side of the ball as the Blugolds receivers’ coach from 2008-2015.  During this time the Blugolds Offensive unit led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in passing in 2009 and 2011 and also finished in the top 3 for total offense. Tarnowski coached and developed All-Conference receivers in each season from 2009-2014 and mentored David Goodman to become UW-Eau Claire Football’s all-time career leader in pass reception yards while ranking 3^rd in pass reception touchdowns.  His time as receivers’ coach was also highlighted by Cory Jacobson who caught a school record 17 passes vs St. Thomas on September 6, 2014 and Alex Plaster who caught 12 passes vs UW-Stout on November 2, 2013 which ranks him 3^rd in Blugold football history.

Tarnowski has been in blue and gold since he started his coaching career at New Auburn High School in 1993.  After two years as defensive coordinator, Tarnowski became head coach of the Trojans for eight seasons between 1996-2003. In 1994, 1995, and 2001 Tarnowski’s team won the Conference Championship. His team made the WIAA State Playoffs five seasons in a row between 1994-1998 and again in 2001, winning the school’s first playoff game in school history in 1996.  During the 2002 season, Tarnowski also served as the Conference representative for the 2002 WFCA All-Northwest football team selection committee.

Tarnowski graduated from UW-Eau Claire with his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a and minor in psychology and coaching. He also earned his Master of Education in Professional Development-Human Performance/Kinesiology at UW-Eau Claire as well.

He has two children, Aubrey and James.

Updated: 3/22/2022