Coach Joe Dunning graduated from Carroll College with a bachelor's degree in secondary education, and achieved his Master's of Education in higher education, student affairs. While playing for the Fighting Saints Dunning was an All-Frontier Conference linebacker twice (2011, 2012); team captain; won four Frontier Conference Championships; was the National Runner Up in 2011; and won a National Championship in 2010.
Dunning arrived at Rocky after spending three seasons working with the Montana State University's Bobcats coaching staff. Dunning began working as a volunteer offensive line coach in 2016 before spending time as an offensive intern in 2017 and defensive intern in 2018. Before that, Dunning spent three seasons (2013-2015) working for the Carroll College Fighting Saints. Two seasons of those seasons were as a secondary coach where he helped coach six all-conference players and an All-American (James Dowgin-2014).
Coach Dunning was hired as the Defensive Coordinator of the Battlin' Bears for the 2019 football season. Coach Dunning has been a part of the program turnaround from 4-7 to 7-3 Frontier Conference Champions (2021). At RMC Coach Dunning has coached two All-Conference linebackers (Nolan McCafferty - 2021 & 2022, Prince Johnson - 2023).
Dunning is from Billings, Mont. and attended Billings Senior High School. He is married to Abby Dunning and they have one daughter named Liv.
