Franklin went down the road and hired Drake’s Todd Stepsis to be the Panthers’ new head coach. The school announced the hiring Tuesday, with Stepsis replacing longtime Panthers coach Mark Farley.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) - Todd Stepsis has been named the new head football coach for the University of Northern Iowa. On Tuesday, the university announced the Shelby, Ohio native agreed to a five-year contract. It comes after longtime UNI head coach Mark Farley announced his retirement.

After leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Pioneer League titles to go along with back-to-back appearances in the FCS playoff field, Stepsis has been selected to replace longtime head coach Mark Farley at Northern Iowa. UNI didn't have to look far, as the two campuses are separated by just under two hours of drive time.

Todd Stepsis, who led Drake to back-to-back FCS playoff berths over the past two seasons, has been named the new football coach at Northern Iowa.

University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook and Director of Athletics Megan Franklin announced on Tuesday that Todd Stepsis has accepted the UNI football head coaching position. Stepsis joins the Panthers after a six-year stint as the head coach at Drake University.

He will replace Coach Mark Farley, who retired at the end of the 2024 season after more than 20 years with the Panthers.

After 24 years with Mark Farley at the helm, the University of Northern Iowa has a new head football coach. The Panthers named Todd Stepsis as their next head c