Chris Creighton thought he would stay at Wabash College, one of the NCAA Division III traditional football powers, for a long time.

But that changed when he heard from Drake University in its search for a football coach.

“I just concluded seven years at a very, very special place and had no intention of leaving,” said Creighton, who was introduced Saturday as the Bulldogs’ football coach. “But soon after the season ended, I got a call about Drake University. In those conversations, there was a growing knowing inside of me that this would be an absolute perfect fit for who I was and for what Drake football would become.”

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Creighton, 38, succeeds interim coach Steve Loney, who directed the Bulldog program for a year following the resignation of Rob Ash, who was Drake’s coach for 18 years. Drake athletic director Sandy Hatfield Clubb said Creighton signed a multiyear contract, but declined to disclose any financial terms.

Hatfield Clubb said Creighton was selected after a national search that centered on 10 finalists - four of whom participated in extensive interviews with Drake University officials and a search committee.

Cole Ingle, who will return as starting quarterback next season and was a member of the search committee, said Creighton impressed him “as the coach that can get it done.”

“He was my choice,” Ingle said. “After talking with him for about a half hour, I could tell he relates well to anyone who he talks to, and he will be a great recruiter. He will bring a new energy to the program, and for those of us who have had three coaches in three years, it brings some real closure to us.”

During his last three years at Wabash, Creighton’s teams compiled a 30-5 record, won three straight league championships and made appearances in the 2005 and 2007 Division III playoffs.

His 63-15 record at Wabash also ranks him fourth in winning percentage among Division III football coaches.

Hatfield Clubb said Creighton’s hiring is the first major step toward beginning to develop a higher level of identity for the Bulldog football program as a member of the NCAA Football Championship Division as well as the Pioneer Football League.

She said the football program will begin to center its efforts to be recognized similarly to Northern Iowa, though Drake doesn’t offer athletic scholarships.

“There is no real difference between Northern Iowa and Drake. Most of our players are on scholarship, just academic ones,” she said.

Part of that effort will be to begin compiling a better nonconference schedule that eventually could include opponents from the Ivy League, the Northeastern Conference or the Patriot League instead of NAIA or NCAA Division III schools.

Jim Tressel, Ohio State football coach, was one of Creighton’s references in his job application. In a statement, Tressel described Creighton as “one of the great young coaches in our nation.”

“Drake University is in for a wonderful experience and opportunity as Chris takes over their outstanding football program,” Tressel said.

Drake football: New coach had big success in Div. III
BY TOM WITOSKY • REGISTER STAFF WRITER
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071223/SPORTS020402/712230350/0/SPORTS05