University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Coach Stepsis adds general manager, cornerbacks coach to UNI Football staff
2/6/2025 10:20:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI football head coach Todd Stepsis announced the hiring of two new members of his football staff. After a successful signing day on Wednesday, Stepsis added general manager Owen Chandler and cornerbacks coach Kevin Hodges to the UNI program on Thursday.
Chandler comes to UNI from Ashland University and will serve as the program's general manager. The 23-year-old Ohio native is believed to be the youngest general manager in NCAA Division I football history. In his role with the Panthers, Chandler will assist the coaching staff in evaluating talent and prioritizing personnel needs. Along with Stepsis, he will coordinate all of the recruiting operations for UNI, including all campus visits and coaching travel schedules.
"Owen is going to be a big piece in helping us architect the future of UNI Football," Stepsis continued. "Blending our vision with strategy, and turning our dreams into reality, Owen will build not just a roster, but he will continue the legacy that is already synonymous with our brand."
A 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, Hodges joins UNI to coach the squad's cornerbacks. He arrives in Cedar Falls after spending the past three seasons as a defensive assistant at NC State.
"Bringing in Coach Hodges is like adding a master sculptor to a team of raw talent,' said Stepsis. "He has an amazing journey and, with his character and expertise, he will transform potential into excellence in that room, turning every challenge into an opportunity for greatness."
Owen Chandler - General Manager
A former linebacker at Ohio Northern University, Chandler most recently served as the assistant linebackers coach, assistant recruiting coordinator and assistant director of football operations at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. An Ohio native, Chandler began his coaching career in the Buckeye State as a football operations intern and student assistant coach on the defensive side of the ball at his alma mater, Ohio Northern. From there, he launched his professional career with his first post-graduation role at Valparaiso University where he was the defensive quality control and assistant defensive backs coach before landing at Ashland University.
"I am honored to join Coach Stepsis and the UNI football staff," said Chandler. "I'm excited to work with our coaches, players, and supporters to continue building a strong and successful program both on and off the field."
Kevin Hodges - Cornerbacks Coach
Hodges joins the Panthers from NC State after previous collegiate stints at Duke, Eastern Illinois and Maryland. He had the opportunity to serve as the NFL Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellow with the Jacksonville Jaguars over the summer of 2023 before heading to NC State in January 2022. At NC State, Hodges served as a defensive graduate assistant working with the defensive backs & linebackers in 2022. He worked directly with coordinator Tony Gibson, assisting with all aspects of the defensive secondary and was instrumental in developing a secondary that ranked top-five nationally in interceptions from 2022-23. NC State's 2022 defense was the only FBS unit to hold all of its opponents under 30 points or less per game.
"I'm thrilled for the opportunity to join this staff," said Hodges. "My journey has been a unique yet rewarding one that's now landed here in the heartland of the country. Iowa is a place known for hard work, grit & toughness which is all I know. These players and staff all have something to prove. That's the type of program and mentality I want to be a part of."
In 2019, the Ellenwood, Georgia native began his coaching career as the defensive backs coach at James H. Blake High School. From there, Hodges was a recruiting operations assistant for a season at Maryland before taking on defensive quality control and assistant coaching responsibilities at Eastern Illinois in 2020. In 2021, Hodges got the opportunity to become a graduate assistant under head coach David Cutcliffe at Duke University where he was an assistant safeties coach.
Hodges began his leadership track as a Cryptologic Technician (Collection) First Class in the United States Navy, serving tours onboard USS Chosin (CG-65) stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (2010-2013), Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii (2013-2016) and United States Cyber Command in Fort Meade, Md. (2016-2019). He was a two-time recipient of the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.
Hodges and his wife, Vantreese, have two children; a son, Kyrie and daughter, Kiera.
UNI football action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Football), X (@UNIFootball) and on Instagram (@unipantherfootball). The full 2025 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.