Joel D. Whitaker (October 5, 1877 – October 13, 1947) was a physician and college football player and coach. He was hired as one of the first coaches of the Guilford Quakers in 1897, posting a 2–2–1 record. Whitaker played college football at the University of North Carolina, where he was a prominent fullback, described by Kemp Plummer Battle as "probably the university's best all around athlete." In 1895, Whitaker threw what is purported by some to be the first forward pass. He picked an all-time UNC team in 1910.