PHOTO PROVIDED - Grand View University football coach Joe Woodley addresses his team ahead of a game at Duke Williams Stadium in Des Moines. Woodley has been named as the next head coach at Drake University in Des Moines.

DES MOINES — Joe Woodley, one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of NAIA football, was named head coach at Drake University, athletic director Brian Hardin announced on Monday.

A native of Clive, Woodley joins Drake after spending the last 17 years across town at Grand View University. Woodley began his tenure at Grand View as an assistant for over a decade, coordinating both offense and defense at different stages, and has spent the last six seasons as the Vikings’ head coach, replacing his father, Mike.

“I am humbled and honored to be the head football coach at Drake University,” Woodley said. “I look forward to working at a first-class institution, coaching at the FCS level, and the challenge to help take this program to heights it has never been. Most importantly, I look forward to working with the players to help them reach their potential on and off the field.”

Woodley guided the Vikings to an undefeated season in 2024, punctuated by winning Grand View’s second NAIA national championship last Saturday.

Woodley was an assistant coach with the 2013 Vikings team that capped an undefeated season with the school’s first football title. In his six seasons as head coach, Woodley led the Vikings to the NAIA quarterfinals twice, the semifinals twice, and two title games. He amassed a record of 72-5 and never lost a regular season game.

Individually, Woodley was named North Division Conference Head Coach of the Year in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. As offensive coordinator in 2018, Woodley’s bunch was ranked in the top 25 nationally in points per game, rushing yards per game, and yards per game.

Prior to that, Woodley coordinated a top-10 defense in nine seasons and was named the 2009 MSFA Midwest Assistant Coach of the Year and 2013 Football Scoop Coordinator of the Year.

In 2024, Woodley was one of 30 coaches identified by ESPN as coaches who will “define the next decade of college football.” He was one of only four non-FBS coaches selected and the only coach from the NAIA.

Woodley has coached seven AFCA All-Americans, six Heart of America Athletic Conference Players of the Year, five HAAC Offensive Players of the Year, and four HAAC Defensive Players of the Year.

Most recently, Woodley helped quarterback Jackson Waring earn the 2024 NAIA Football Player of the Year award, the division’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

“We are thrilled to add Joe Woodley to our athletics department as the next leader of our football program,” Hardin said. “Joe is a championship coach who will add to the championship culture that exists within our football team and athletics department. Joe develops young men on and off the field, has significant name recognition in our region, and is widely considered a rising star in the coaching profession. We could not be more excited for Joe, Jen, and their kids to join our Drake Athletics family.”

Prior to his time at Grand View, Woodley served as the defensive line and linebackers coach at Johnston High School under his brother, Brian.

Before coaching the Dragons, he spent two seasons coaching the same positions at St. Ambrose University and helped the Fighting Bees to a 15-5 record and top-10 national defensive rating.

Woodley graduated from West Des Moines Valley, where he was named a first-team all-state linebacker and Central Iowa Metro League Player of the Year as a senior. As a collegian, Woodley competed at Iowa State and captained the Cyclones to three bowl appearances from 1999-2003.

Drake will host an introductory press conference marking Woodley’s official welcome on Sunday, Dec. 29, and he will be introduced to Bulldog fans at the Drake men’s basketball game that afternoon.