Michael Orts

Orts arrives at Centre with coaching experience at all levels of the NCAA. He most recently coached at Division I, University of Dayton, where he was the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. In his two seasons there, one quarterback was named a Jerry Rice Award (FCS' top freshman) finalist, and another quarterback was honored as an all-conference performer. Prior to UD, he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Baldwin Wallace University (OH) in 2022 and 2023. He led the offense to marked improvement in his time there and one of his running backs was honored a Gagliardi Trophy semi-finalist.

Orts spent nine seasons on the staff of his alma mater, St. John's University (MN), as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. While on the staff there, the Johnnies won four conference championships and made six NCAA Division III National Playoff appearances, with a semi-finalist appearance in 2019. 

During his time with St. John's, Orts and staff re-wrote the school and conference passing record books. Two separate quarterbacks were the seasons' national passing efficiency champions and one of his quarterbacks led the nation in passing yardage, passing touchdowns, and was a Gagliardi Trophy winner and runner-up.

Between two stints at St. John's, Orts served as the co-offensive coordinator, pass game coordinator, quarterbacks, and wide receivers coach at NCAA Division II University of Minnesota Crookston for one season. He coached two all-conference receivers that year and one of his receivers is still third all-time in receptions in the conference's history. 

A 2009 graduate of St. John's University (MN), Orts was a four-year letterwinner and team captain as a senior. He played on three MIAC Championship teams and his teams reached the NCAA Division III playoffs all four seasons. He was coached by college football's all-time winningest coach, John Gagliardi, namesake of the Division III Heisman trophy. 

Orts earned a Master of Science in Physical Education from Southwest Minnesota State University and Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from St. John's. 

Orts and his wife Anna have three children -- John, Aubrey and William.