Clive native and Drake University head football coach Joe Woodley resigned Feb. 9 after one season with the Bulldogs and 17 years at Grand View University to take a defensive assistant position within the Big Ten Conference. Woodley, a former Iowa State University football player, let sources know that he would be filling the defensive coaching gap under Greg Schiano at Rutgers University in New Jersey. 

Woodley went 72-5 and never lost a regular season game at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics level for GVU before going 8-4 at the Division I level for the Bulldogs and leading them to the Football Conference Subdivision playoffs for the third year in a row. His hire came after losing former head coach Todd Stepsis to the University of Northern Iowa after the 2024-25 season. 

“Our football program, and Drake Athletics as a whole, is thankful to Coach Woodley for his contributions as a Bulldog. Joe used his natural leadership and excellent skills as a football coach to put together another sensational season in Drake Stadium,” said Drake Director of Athletics Brian Hardin in a press release.“We wish him continued success on his coaching journey.” 

Hardin and the University also commented that the national search for a new head coach has begun ahead of the 2025-26 spring game and the 2026-27 season.