we are drake Bulldogs
Head Coach Chris Creighton
Chris Creighton, who ranked fourth among all active NCAA Division III football coaches in career winning percentage, was named the 25th head football coach at Drake University Dec. 22, 2007. In his first year as head coach at Drake, Creighton guided the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record in 2008 with the team winning four of its last five games. Creighton served as head coach at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., from 2001-2007 where he constructed a 63-15 record with teams winning four North Coast Athletic Conference championships, while competing in three NCAA Division III playoffs. “Coach Creighton is a proven winner, a man of strong character, and has a vision that will move Drake football to the next level,” said Drake athletic director Sandy Hatfield Clubb. “Chris Creighton’s focus as a football coach is perfectly aligned with Drake athletics’ emphasis on integrity and excellence, and with the distinguished tradition of Drake football,” said Drake President David Maxwell. “He has a superb record not only of wins on the field, but of preparing young men for their lives after college and after football.” Creighton, 40, owns an overall record of 101-29 (.776 winning percentage) in 12 years as a college head coach including a 32-9 mark as head coach at Ottawa (Kan.) University from 16 1997-2000.
“I am absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to lead the Drake University football program,” said Creighton. “I am very attracted to Drake’s sense of family, its proud tradition, and the desire of both the team and the administration to become our absolute best.” During his last three years at Wabash, Creighton led the Little Giants to a 30-5 record, including three straight league championships and appearances in the 2005 and 2007 NCAA Division III playoffs. Wabash posted an 11-2 record in 2007, competing in the NCAA Division III playoffs while being ranked No. 8 in the final NCAA Division III coaches poll. Wabash was 12-1 in 2002 and 11-1 in 2005, capping both seasons with appearances in the playoffs. As offensive coordinator at Wabash, Creighton’s teams averaged 35 points per game with the multiple offense producing the school’s all-time leading rusher and passer. Three starting quarterbacks received All-American honors. Under Creighton, Wabash won conference championships in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007. He coached 83 all-conference players, including seven who earned conference player of the year honors, along with 13 All-Americans. He was named the North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in
2002, 2005 and 2007, as well as the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1997. The Seattle, Wash., native produced one of the greatest single season turnarounds in NAIA history during his first year at Ottawa in 1997. He inherited a team that posted a 1-8 record the previous season, then finished 9-2 en route to capturing its first Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference title since 1972. He also led Ottawa to a league championship in 2000, along with appearances in the NAIA playoffs in 1997 and 2000. Creighton was offensive coordinator at Concordia (Ill.) from 1991-92 and Manchester (Ind.) from 1993-96 before becoming head coach at Ottawa. As an All-American quarterback, Creighton led Kenyon (Ohio) College to its only North Coast Athletic Conference title in 1989. He was named the league’s player of the year after setting single-season conference records for passing yardage (2,843) and touchdowns (29). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon in 1991 and a master’s degree from Concordia (Ill.) University in 1993. Chris and his wife, Heather, have two daughters, Hallie (five) and Kate (three); and a son Luke (two).
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football | 09 Head Coach Chris Creighton WHAT THEY ARE SAYING “Chris is one of the great young coaches in our nation. Drake University is in for a wonderful experience and opportunity as Chris takes over their outstanding football program.” -Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel
Born: Feb. 7, 1969
CREIGHTON At-A-Glance
High School: Roosevelt High School; Seattle, Wash. Alma Mater: Kenyon College Degrees: Bachelor of Arts degree 1991 Master’s degree from Concordia (Ill.) University in 1993 Playing Experience: Quarterback, Kenyon College, 1987-90 Coaching 1991-92 Roosevelt High School; Seattle, Wash. Experience: 1993 Head coach and quarterback, Limhamn Griffins, Malmo, Sweden 1993-96 Offensive coordinator, Manchester (Ind.) 1997-2000 Head coach, Ottawa (Kan.) University 2001-2007 Head coach, Wabash College 2008-present Head coach, Drake University Head Coaching: 1997 Ottawa 9-2, NAIA playoffs Record: 1998 Ottawa 8-2 1999 Ottawa 6-3 2000 Ottawa 9-2, NAIA playoffs 2001 Wabash 8-2 2002 Wabash 12-1, NCAA Division III playoffs 2003 Wabash 7-3 2004 Wabash 6-4 2005 Wabash 11-1, NCAA Division III playoffs 2006 Wabash 8-2 2007 Wabash 11-2, NCAA Division III playoffs 2008 Drake 6-5 Career Record: 101-29 (.776 winning percentage) Ottawa Record: 32-9 (.780 winning percentage) Wabash Record: 63-15 (.807 winning percentage) Drake Record: 6-5 (.545 winning percentage)
“Chris Creighton is an outstanding choice for Drake University. Chris is a man of integrity, who values the lives of his coaches and players above the wins and the losses. He does, however, bring a winning mentality with him wherever he goes. Chris did that as a player in leading Kenyon to win the only championship in its history. He achieved as a coach at Ottawa in taking them to a national level. He then repeated that success at Wabash, turning that program into a top ten program in the country. He is one of the brightest young coaches in America today. “Drake has more than just a football coach who wins games. You have a man that is a loving husband and father, and a positive contributing member of the Drake community. He will stand on high principles, and infuse them into the action plans to achieve high goals.“ –Washington (Mo.) University head football coach Larry Kindom
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we are drake Bulldogs
Head Coach Chris Creighton
Members of the Drake coaching staff and their families are pictured. Top row (left to right) Tyler Fisher, Ben Needham; Jeff Martin and his wife, Deb: Rick Fox and his wife, Julie, and family; Neal Neathery and his wife, Rebecca and family; Kyle York and his wife, Jess; and Chris Hansen. In the front row are Joe Golota; Bill Charles and his wife, Shirley (standing); Matt Jeter and his wife Kimberly and family; head coach Chris Creighton and his wife, Heather, and family; Rebecca Neathery; and Aaron Selby and his wife, Jamie.
Talking With Coach Creighton
On coaching philosophy: “I believe that love is ultimately more powerful than hate, fear, negativity or intimidation. So that is how we will coach at Drake. “In terms of offense I believe in multiple formations, with ability to attack with equal proficiency on the ground and in the air. I like to be unpredictable and keep people off balance. On defense, we want to be assignment sound, aggressive and force turnovers. Special teams and forcing turnovers are the keys to winning football games.” Incoming recruiting class: “We believe there is good talent in this group. Ultimately they will be judged in five years as they are walking across the stage in how they have done academically…what kind of people they have become…how they have grown as men…how well they have served as underclassmen and how well they have led as upperclassmen. I always judge classes after they graduate. “In terms of playing time for recruits we have a simple philosophy. We want to play our best 11 on both sides of the ball, along with our best kicker and punter. It is often difficult for freshmen to be better than players who have been doing it for a longer time, but it doesn’t mean that freshmen can’t do it. So we will evaluate the newcomers during camp and leading up to the first game.” On the Pioneer Football League: “I have great respect for the Pioneer Football League. I really believe these are schools that do it right in terms of being studentathletes, at the same time these are guys who are talented and have passion about the game of football. We are thrilled to be part of the league.” What are advantages that Drake offers: “Drake is the best of both worlds. It is a Division I football experience without compromising a great internationally renowned education. That is really how I sum it up. It is so hard to find the best of both worlds at the Division I level, but at Drake we believe that this (elusive) balance exists.” On recruiting at Drake: “I was drawn by the sense of family here at Drake and we will continue to recruit in that way…student-athletes who want to be a part of a family and be part of something bigger than themselves are going to be attracted to Drake. We will continue to recruit in the great state of Iowa and even grow in that and recruit in metropolitan areas like Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis in the contiguous states. “You see a newly refurbished stadium and other good facilities at Drake. However, a college experience is never defined by bricks and mortar but by the people who surround you. The people at Drake are incredible. As soon as a recruit gets to know the players on our team, the kind of people they are, the vision they have for both their life and for our football program they will be drawn to the Bulldog Football family.”
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football | 09 Coaching Staff
Neal Neathery
Assistant Head Coach Defensive Coordinator Linebackers
Rick Fox
Special Teams Coordinator Offensive Line Coach
Matt Jeter
Recruiting Coordinator Defensive Backs Coach
Neal Neathery came to Drake with head coach Chris Creighton in January of 2008 after serving as an associate head coach at Wabash College since 2001. He was named the American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007. With Neathery serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Wabash ranked No. 4 in the NCAA Division III in total defense in 2003, No. 3 in scoring defense in 2005 and No. 8 in quarterback sacks in 2007. Neathery was defensive coordinator at Ottawa (Kan.) University from 1997-2000 with teams compiling a combined 32-7 record while winning the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference championship in 1997 and 2000 en route to competing in the NAIA playoffs. Neathery began his college football coaching career at Sterling College where he served as defensive line coach in 1994 and linebackers coach in 1995 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 1996. Neathery is a 1993 graduate of Wheaton (Ill.) where he was a four-year starting defensive end from 1989-93, serving as a captain as a senior. He earned the James Parmalee Most Respected Player Award. He earned a master’s degree in health and human performance from Fort Hays State in 1995. Neal and his wife, Rebecca, have three children: Parker, 13; Michael, 12; and Hannah, 10.
Rick Fox brings an extensive coaching background to Drake as offensive line coach and special teams coordinator. He had served as offensive coordinator at Centre (Ky.) College from 1999 to his arrival at Drake in January of 2008. He was promoted to associate head coach at Centre in 2006. During his tenure at Centre, Fox coached 16 first-team all-league performers and 50 total offensive all-conference players.Fox also was offensive line coach at Wheaton (Ill.) College from 1992-99 and offensive line coach at Aurora (Ill.) University from 1987-92. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wheaton in 1986. Fox was captain of the Wheaton football team in 1985 and graduated in 1986 with a bachelor of arts degree in history and secondary education. He also earned a master’s degree in Biblical studies from Wheaton. He was recipient of the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service to Centre College in 2005. Fox has been a certified strength and conditioning coach with the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 1999. Rick and his wife, Julie, have three children: Rebecca, 14; Hannah, 12; and Caleb, 10. Matt Jeter joined the Drake coaching staff in 2003, handling the defensive backs as well as serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Bulldogs. He served as defensive coordinator at Drake under head coach Steve Loney during the 2007 season. The Des Moines native is a 1998 graduate of Simpson College where he was a two-year starter at cornerback and captain on Storm teams which competed in the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Division III playoffs. He also earned first-team all-region honors at Iowa Central Community College in 1995. He was secondary coach at North High School in Des Moines from 1999-2001. Matt married Kimberly McKee in 2004 and the couple have two sons, Jordan, (four), and Jayden, who was born Oct. 31, 2007.
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we are drake Bulldogs
Coaching Staff
Bill Charles
Running Backs
Bill Charles began coaching at Drake under coach Chuck Shelton when the program was Division I from 1980-85, including the famed Bulldog team which went 10-1 in 1981. Before his arrival, he was head coach at Des Moines East High School where he received Metro Coach of the Year honors four times. After coaching at Drake under Nick Quartaro in 1987-88, Charles became head coach and athletic director at Westmar from 1989-92, guiding three nationally ranked teams. He led Westmar to an 8-2 mark in 1990 with the team being ranked No. 13 in the final NAIA Division II poll. For his efforts, he was honored as the NAIA District 15 Coach of the Year. The 1962 Iowa State graduate returned to Drake in 1992 and coached with Rob Ash for 15 seasons and Steve Loney in 2007. He also was head coach of two Arena Football League teams. Bill and his wife, Shirley, have six children and 10 grandchildren.
Kyle York
Kyle York joined the Drake coaching staff in the spring of 2009 after serving on the coaching staff at Indiana University. During his tenure with the Hoosiers, he served as an offensive assistant, handling wide receivers and recruiting assistant. He also worked in defensive quality control, overseeing all game day opponent offensive personnel. York was on the Hoosier staff that played Oklahoma State in the 2008 Insight Bowl. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Sports Marketing and Management from Indiana in 2005.
Jeff Martin
Former Drake standout Jeff Martin is in his 14th year as an aide. A native of Des Moines, Martin graduated from Drake in 1977 as owner of five school records, including career pass completions (370) and total offensive plays (982). Martin set a Missouri Valley Conference record for the longest pass completion in league history of 98 yards against New Mexico State in 1976. He earned his master’s degree from Northeast Missouri State in 1981 and served as an assistant coach at Drake under Chuck Shelton from 1982-85. Jeff and his wife, Deb, have a son, Matt, and daughter, Jenny, along with grandsons Will Flug and Cameron Flug.
Ben Needham
Ben Needham joined the Drake coaching staff in January of 2008 after serving as defensive line coach,under Chris Creighton, at Wabash College in 2007. Needham earned a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2007. He served as a recruiting undergraduate assistant for the Buckeye football staff in 2005-06 and was a defensive undergraduate assistant in 2006-07. During his tenure, the Buckeyes were co-Big Ten Conference champions in 2005, playing in the Fiesta Bowl. He also was on the Buckeye staff which won the 2006 Big Ten Conference title and played in the BCS national championship game.
Aaron Selby
Aaron Selby came from Wabash where he served as the strong safeties coach in 2007. Despite being a stellar defensive player and coach, Selby moved to coach the tight ends, which in Chris Creighton’s offense are called the Y’s and J’s. Selby earned first-team all-league honors as a senior at Wabash, helping the team to an undefeated regular season, a 7-0 league record, and the number one seed in the North Region for the NCAA Division III Playoffs. He is ranked seventh in Wabash history in tackles for losses (30-1/2) despite missing more than half of his junior season with a broken leg. He is 12th on the all-time sacks list with 11-1/2 and 18th in career tackles with 188. Selby was also a member of the Wabash golf team. After graduating from Wabash in 2006, Selby spent the summer working at Kids Across America in Golden, Mo., as a camp counselor working with urban youth.
Cornerbacks
Receivers
Defensive Line
Tight Ends
Joe Golota
Student Assistant
Joe Golota is a student assistant coach, helping with the offensive line. Golota, a native of Palatine, Ill., is a business major. He earned all-league and all-area honors as center during his senior campaign at Fremd (Ill.) High School. .
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