Drake (Pioneer) head coach Todd Stepsis is taking the same position at Northern Iowa (MVFC). Stepsis had a successful tenure in Des Moines leading Drake to its first-ever FCS Playoff appearances with back-to-back trips in 2023 and 2024.
Stepsis was hired by Drake for the 2019 season, led them to a 6-5 campaign, and a tie for second place in the PFL. After three straight losing seasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022 (7-20 overall), the Bulldogs turned the corner in 2023. They started 0-3 but went undefeated in the PFL, culminating in the school’s first FCS Playoff appearance. Drake lost 66-3 to North Dakota State (MVFC) in the first round.
The 2024 season started with a washout against NCAA Division II Quincy in a canceled contest followed by a surprise 35-32 win on the road against Eastern Washington. The Bulldogs won six PFL games in a row, lost to Morehead State at home, and then won the regular season finale at Stetson to secure a second-straight PFL title. Drake made the FCS Playoffs for the second straight season and gave Tarleton State a tough game in the 43-29 loss.
Stepsis was named the PFL Coach of the Year in 2023 and 2024 as the Bulldogs went 16-7 overall and 15-1 in conference games. For his career, he is 29-32 overall and 27-18 in conference games. Prior to Drake, Stepsis was an assistant at D-III schools Otterbein and Capital and the defensive coordinator at D-II Saginaw Valley State from 2008 through 2013. In 2014, he was named the defensive coordinator at Drake and elevated to head coach in 2019.
Stepsis will take over for the legendary Mark Farley, who spent 24 years in charge of the Panthers. Farley went 183-112 overall and 117-66 in the MVFC/Gateway Football Conference, won 7 conference titles, and made 13 FCS Playoff appearances. UNI went 3-9 and 1-7 in 2024.
Photo Credit to Drake University Athletics
