Stepsis brings to change UNI in short time period

CEDAR FALLS — While some things remain the same, a lot has changed within the Northern Iowa football program in the eight months since hiring Todd Stepsis as head coach.

While Stepsis and the program he now leads will be judged externally by wins and losses — especially after an uncharacteristic 3-9 record a season ago — internally a lot of proverbial wins already have begun to unfold with regard to team-building, honoring program history and community engagement.

“The community and how important UNI athletics and UNI football is (to it) is probably the biggest thing I’ve learned (so far),” Stepsis said. “I knew it was going to be that way, but I think once you are in it and learn it and see it and feel it — that’s it. I’d say the other thing I’ve learned is we’ve got some really good guys on our team.”

One of two holdovers from Mark Farley’s staff — longtime offensive line coach Rick Nelson — didn’t hesitate to bring up how much change he’s seen in the program in a short amount of time.

“It’s way different, so I’m trying to get adjusted to it. The way we practice, the way we meet — everything is different,” Nelson said. “For me it’s a learning curve, (but) I like it. The (players), I think, are taking to it. I love UNI, so I’m glad I’m here.”

Senior linebacker Tucker Langenberg — one of only two named captains — complimented the culture Stepsis and his nine new staff members have built in a short time, but also made a point to say how he’s looking forward to it being tested once the season begins.

“I think we’re already starting to see a little return on investment (in team culture),” Langenberg said. “I can’t wait to see what the team culture looks like about halfway through the season after we get a few games under our belt. Seeing how certain guys respond and how the coaches discipline guys if they need to — I think it’ll be really cool to see how the team comes together.”

The former Drake coach didn’t shy away from prioritizing player experience and team-building over a message of wins and championships during Wednesday’s annual media day. He acknowledged early preseason camp practices have included their share of mistakes and that rather than getting upset or concerned about them, he’s the type to seek out the positives when it’s time to watch back practice on film.

“My dad always would say to me, ‘it’s never as good as it seems (and) it’s never as bad as it seems,’” Stepsis said. “I try to remind coach (Nelson) of that when we’re walking off the practice field and it doesn’t feel like we blocked anybody.”

Asked about being picked eighth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll, Stepsis quickly answered that’s something he doesn’t talk about, but if players want to use it as motivation he’s all for it. Meanwhile, undoubtedly more important than a preseason poll, was the Board of Regents’ recent approval of in-state tuition rates at UNI for the six states that border Iowa.

“Oh, that’s big,” Stepsis said. “Now all the sudden those players are not as expensive as they used to be for us. So, now we can take that money that we would have spent to get them because they’re out-of-state, and start to use those funds to do other things.”

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Eventually personnel and performance came up and Stepsis’ inaugural roster includes 42 newcomers and 11 transfers. Headlining the roster at the moment is an ongoing quarterback battle that he originally thought he would have decided on after spring practices. However, Matthew Schecklman, Aidan Dunne and Jaxon Dailey continue to share reps now in preseason camp.

“I haven’t (decided),” Stepsis said. “We’ve got three really good competitors right now that have all shown signs of greatness. They’ve all shown signs of being a leader that’s going to help us win. They all do different things really, really well.”

UNI kicks off its 2025 season Aug. 30 at home against Butler. Kickoff at the UNI-Dome is at 1 p.m.