UNI names Todd Stepsis its next football coach

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa’s nationwide search for its next head football coach wound up needing to go just over 100 miles west of the UNI-Dome.

Along with university president Mark Nook, first-year Director of Athletics Megan Franklin announced in a release Tuesday that Drake head coach Todd Stepsis had been hired as the Panthers’ next head coach.

“This is an exciting day for UNI football players, alumni, fans and donors as we announce the hiring of head coach Todd Stepsis," Franklin said in UNI’s official release. “Todd is a mentor of men. His winning culture is predicated on the cultivation of the very best from the brotherhood of the team.

“Coach Stepsis has been a winner from his playing days to serving as head coach. His experience as both an offensive and defensive coordinator gives him a unique edge in the head coaching role.”

Stepsis arrives at UNI after six years as the Bulldogs head coach. Prior to being named head coach at Drake, he spent five seasons as defensive coordinator.

In his six years as head coach, he amassed a 29-32 record, achieving success more recently with an 8-4 record in 2023 and 8-3 record this season, qualifying for the FCS playoffs each year. He also was recognized as the Pioneer Football League’s coach of the year in 2023 and ’24, and FCS Region 4 coach of the year in 2023.

His defenses in Des Moines produced impressive numbers, including 42 all-conference selections, and he also spent the past three seasons as the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator.

“On behalf of (my wife) Angie and our family, we are extremely grateful to President Nook and (Franklin) for extending us this tremendous opportunity at the University of Northern Iowa,” Stepsis said in UNI’s official release. “I have a great appreciation for the winning tradition of UNI football, as well as the litany of respected and highly successful head coaches who have held this role.”

Prior to Drake, Stepsis was defensive coordinator at Division II Saginaw Valley State from 2008-2013. Before that he was an assistant at Division III Capital University from 2000-2008.

He’s an alumnus of Ashland University, where he played football for four years and graduated magna cum laude.

STEPSIS’ HEAD COACHING RECORD

Year Overall Conference Postseason

2019 6-5 6-2

2020 2-3 2-3

2021 2-9 1-7

2022 3-8 3-5

2023 8-4 8-0 FCS Playoffs — First Round

2024 8-3 7-1 FCS Playoffs — First Round

Totals 29-32 27-18