Sturdy has a connection with Eastern Washington. The Eagles defensive coordinator Jody Sears coached at St. Ambrose in 1998.
“Todd has a proven track record as an assistant and accomplished even more as Ambrose’s head coach,” Eastern Washington University Head Coach Paul Wulff said in the release. “He’s going to bring great leadership, passion and work ethic to our program.”
Besides serving as offensive coordinator, Sturdy will also coach quarterbacks, assist with special teams and serve as the team’s academic liaison, Wulff said.
“We hate to see him leave,” St. Ambrose Athletics Director Ray Shovlain said. “Todd is not only a remarkable coach, but a close personal friend. During his time at St. Ambrose, Todd has done an outstanding job with our football program, and we are grateful for his hard work and dedication over the years.”
During his St. Ambrose tenure, Sturdy led the Fighting Bees to a 10-0 regular season record in 2006, the university’s first undefeated season since 1949. Sturdy was named the 2006 Mid-States Football Association Midwest Division Coach of the Year and the 2006 American Football Coaches Association NAIA Region 2 Coach of the Year.
The university’s winningest football coach, Sturdy ends his time at St. Ambrose with a career record of 85-40, including six playoff appearances and four consecutive conference championships from 2000–2003. Sturdy ranks fourth all-time in winning percentage (.680) and is an AFCA National Rater for NAIA football. He has coached 74 first team All-Conference players and 31 All-Americans, and his players have broken virtually every offensive school record.
Sturdy began his coaching career in 1987 as head sophomore and assistant varsity baseball coach for Tipton High School while a St. Ambrose student. Sturdy began coaching football for St. Ambrose in fall 1990 as a graduate assistant defensive back coach under Ray Jauch, as well as the SAU assistant baseball coach.
In the spring of 1991, Sturdy was named the director of facilities at St. Ambrose and went on to coach the secondary and special teams under Mike Woodley in 1992-93. Named defensive coordinator in 1994, Sturdy turned the defense into the 10th ranked unit in the nation. In 1995, Sturdy was asked to fill in as head coach for the remaining seven games of the season and, in December of the same year, was named head coach.
In 2005, Sturdy was inducted into the St. Ambrose University Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements as an athlete and coach.
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