I know this was mentioned in another thread, but c'mon, it certainly deserves it's own thread

https://godrakebulldogs.com/news/2024/12/3/stepsis-accepts-position-as-head-football-coach-at-northern-iowa.aspx

Any thoughts on a potential hire?

Hire from within the current staff?

UNI board

https://www.panthernation.com/forum/specific-sports-topic-forums/panther-football/737897-head-coach-todd-stepsis

Good for him I guess. I wonder how fast UNI fans will see his overall and non league record though.

Oh, I'm sure they've seen it.  But, certainly the trajectory was good at Drake.

They don't seem to happy. Does seem like an odd choice.

Drakey

Their AD spent 10+ years at DU, mostly under Sandy Clubb.  . 

Finn Claypool in the portal.

His last words:  "You don't have Stepsis to kick around any more, because, Lurking Dog, this is my last press conference."

Hey!  Can we hire the coach from Northwest Missouri State?

Are they any good?  I honestly have no clue

As I said in the other post UNI as a program is in a bit of trouble. They can’t compete with the Dakota schools anymore and are struggling financially. It’s going to be a tough job for anyone. Now Stepsis coming from a non scholly school probably does have an idea about how to maybe counte that bit. But man they have a pretty proud history. Probably a pretty tough pill to swallow. But then we hired a D2 coach for bball and we seem to be doing ok! 😏

I was making a little joke.  Unless we're going to pay the next football coach McCollum money...

League championships the past two seasons are enough for me to overlook some other things.  I wish our former coach continued success.

What about the next coach....


Al Smith?  I don't know whether he's leaving with Stepsis.  If not, he'll probably be the interim HC.  Some players will be comforted if he stays; some will leave regardless.

Joe Woodley (Grand View)?  He should be familiar to Drake people.  

Craig Wederquist?  Had to throw the name out there.  He knows things.  Unfortunately, I doubt he'd take the job.

Who do you have?

Based on a conversation I had with Craig a few years ago, I'd be really surprised if he had any interest.

Woodley's team is currently undefeated and ranked #2 in NAIA.  Anyone who wants to see them in Saturday's playoff game v. #11 Northwestern College can mosey on over to Mediacom Stadium for the Noon kickoff.

So Lurking is the Drake job better than the Grand View job? I honestly have no idea.

Yes. Higher ceiling at Drake.  D-I, even in the Pioneer, beats Grand View and NAIA football.  College coaches who aren't in D-I tend to seek a move to D-I.  That even held true for the D-II national coach of the year, who left the D-II runner-up to take the San Diego Toreros job 

As I remember, Joe Woodley's father (or uncle?) used to coach GV.  He really wanted the Drake job when Rob Ash left...81 might correct me on the timeframe...It almost seems as if getting the Drake gig would be a family trophy. 

And, as we know, there's already some Woodley history with Drake basketball.  Yeah, Drake is a better job, especially to him.  i'm rooting for the Vikings to win the NAIA championship, so coach Woodley can possibly leave on top.

How about pay? I would honestly think it would be a no brainer for him to stay in Des Moines and take the Drake job if we pay a significant amount more. No idea what either job pays.