The 2026 football slate begins on September 5th with a road test against Eastern Washington, followed by a home game versus Drake and an in‑state clash with Iowa.
Head coach Todd Stepsis, now in his second year with the Northern Iowa Panthers, says the foundation of his program is leadership rather than mere schematic perfection.
Leadership Over Popularity
Stepsis distinguishes genuine leadership from being simply liked by teammates, emphasizing that a true leader must make difficult decisions and hold others accountable.
Having spent his first season largely installing systems, the coach now admits he underestimated the importance of getting to know each player's skills, personality and background.
This year he has devoted countless hours to film study and personal conversations, gaining a clearer picture of what each athlete brings both on and off the field.
The new philosophy blends a commitment to fundamentals and technique with an openness to grant players more freedom, aiming to unlock their full potential.
Stepsis believes that by fostering disciplined play while allowing individual expression, the Panthers can compete strongly in each of their early matchups.