MARION – Indiana Wesleyan University Director of Athletics Deane Webb has named Andrew Rode as the Wildcats’ new Head Football Coach.
Rode has served as the Offensive Coordinator at Morningside University since 2020, helping lead the Mustangs to their third national championship in four years in 2021. Morningside was the No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA for the entire 2022 season.
“We are excited to welcome Andrew, Joy and their family to IWU,” said Deane Webb, Director of Athletics. “With approximately 100 candidates having experience ranging from professional to NCAA FBS, and multiple coaches that have won national championships, it was an incredible candidate pool. It is important in IWU Athletics that the person we hire has the skill and strong desire to both chase excellence competitively with our football team and actively seek ways to be used by God to help men grow spiritually. After a thorough search and much prayer by many people involved in the process, I believe we have found that in Andrew. We look forward to supporting him, his family, his staff, and our student-athletes going forward.”
“I would be remiss if I didn’t take this moment to express my gratitude to two groups of people. First, our staff led by Interim Head Coach Eric Terrazas has worked tirelessly to lead the program in the last few weeks, and it speaks volumes about their love for this program and IWU. Second, I would like to personally thank the search committee comprised of Scott Anderson, Rich Benjamin, Dr. Aly Williams, and Dr. Jeff Clark for their prayers, input, and leadership throughout this process. Their assistance has been invaluable.”
This past fall, the Mustangs tallied 6,358 yards, averaging 10.2 per play, and scored 80 touchdowns over 12 games. Morningside led the NAIA in passing offense and ranked 13th in rushing offense. No team averaged more first downs than Morningside’s 26.6 per game or scored more points than Morningside’s 53.1 per game.
“Thank you to President Kulaga, Athletic Director Deane Webb and the search committee for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be the next head coach at Indiana Wesleyan,” said Rode. “It is an incredible honor and privilege to take the lead of the Wildcat football program. My vision is to make playing football at Indiana Wesleyan one of the most incredible experiences of our players’ lives. I can’t wait to meet the team and get started on this next journey with them.”
Prior to his time at Morningside, Rode spent five seasons at the Concordia University of Michigan. In four of those seasons the Cardinals averaged more than 28 points per game, earning them three consecutive NAIA postseason appearances. Rode was named the Mid-States Football Association’s Mideast Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017.
Rode previously spent five years on the staff at NCAA Division III Greenville College, where he helped the program go 16-4 in his final two seasons as an Offensive Coordinator. Their success was highlighted by a rushing attack that ranked third in the nation both seasons with Rode at the helm.
Andrew and his wife Joy were married in 2011, and have three children: Alice, Everest, and McKinley.
An introductory press conference will be announced at a later date!
