Rutgers is bringing in a proven winner to bolster its defensive coaching staff, adding former Drake head coach Joe Woodley in a move that signals a continued push toward defensive identity and cohesion. While his exact role on the staff hasn’t been finalized, the hire marks the first addition under new defensive coordinator Travis Johansen - and it’s one that carries both familiarity and pedigree.
Woodley heads to Piscataway after leading Drake to an 8-4 season and a berth in the FCS playoffs, a strong showing in his lone season at the helm. But his résumé runs deeper than a single postseason appearance.
Before Drake, he built a powerhouse at Grand View, where he went 72-5 over five seasons and never lost a regular-season game. That’s not a typo - 72 wins, just five losses, and a perfect regular-season slate across half a decade.
That kind of dominance doesn’t just happen; it speaks to a coach who knows how to build, lead, and sustain success.
There’s also a strong connection already in place. Woodley and Johansen worked together at Grand View, long before either took on head coaching duties.
Their shared history gives Rutgers a foundation of familiarity and trust as they look to retool a defense that’s aiming to take the next step in the Big Ten. This move isn’t just about adding another assistant - it’s about building a cohesive vision for the future of Rutgers football on the defensive side of the ball.
Interestingly, Woodley’s Drake squad was knocked out of the FCS playoffs by South Dakota - a team coached by Johansen before his move to Rutgers. That postseason clash now becomes a footnote in a coaching reunion that could pay dividends in the trenches and in the locker room.
Woodley’s name isn’t new to those keeping tabs on rising coaching talent. Back in 2024, he was featured on ESPN’s list of 30 coaches expected to shape the next decade of college football - a group that included heavy hitters like Kirby Smart and Deion Sanders. That kind of recognition doesn’t come lightly, and it underscores the level of respect Woodley commands across the coaching landscape.
This is Woodley’s first shot at coaching at the Power Four level, but his track record suggests he’s more than ready for the challenge. Across his career, he’s developed 60 All-Conference players, seven All-Americans, and six conference Players of the Year. That’s a pipeline of production that Rutgers hopes can translate to the Big Ten stage.
Before he was a coach, Woodley was a player - a linebacker at Iowa State, where he earned the title of team captain. That leadership trait has followed him throughout his coaching journey. When he took the job at Drake, Penn State head coach Matt Campbell - who coached Woodley at Iowa State - offered high praise, calling him “a tremendous leader” and someone who would build a program rooted in “character, toughness, accountability, and discipline.”
Rutgers, meanwhile, is keeping some continuity on its defensive line, retaining Julian Campenni (defensive ends) and Charlie Noonan (defensive tackles) from last year’s staff. With Woodley now in the fold, expect more additions as Johansen continues to shape a defense that’s aiming to punch above its weight in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.
Bottom line: Rutgers is adding a coach with a winning pedigree, a strong developmental track record, and a shared vision with the new defensive coordinator. That’s the kind of foundation you want when building a defense that can compete in the Big Ten.