MARION, Ind. – Entering his second year at the helm of IWU Football, Head Coach Andrew Rode has announced his coaching staff for the 2024 season. Leading the offense and defense, Travis Palmer and Austin Taylor have been promoted to Offensive and Defensive Coordinators. Devin Bacchus returns for his second season coaching the linebackers.
In addition, Drew Engels (Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator), John Dutton (Tight Ends), and Dylan Hyatt (Safeties) are the new faces to the Wildcat coaching staff.
“This has been a great off-season, and the transition to this new staff is an exciting step into the future of Wildcat football,” said Head Coach Andrew Rode. “God continues to provide coaches that are bought into the mission of what we are working to accomplish both on and off the field.”
Travis Palmer led the wide receiver group last year that ranked 9th in the NAIA with 3,076 passing yards. Levi Tidwell was Top 7 in the NAIA with 77 receptions, 1,164 yards, and 97 yards per game. He will look to take Coach Rode’s explosive offense to new heights this season.
Austin Taylor helped led a defense that ranked 1st in the NAIA with 926 tackles and 2nd in the nation with 23 interceptions. Their 12 recovered fumbles were good for 10th nationally and their 33 sacks ranked 13th. In his first season with sole ownership of the defense, Coach Taylor will continue to elevate an elite defense.
Devin Bacchus developed a group of linebackers that featured two MSFA All-Conference First Team members in Clayton Mosher and Luke Bays. Bays set the single season program record with 124 tackles. The duo completed the season ranked No. 3 and No. 4 in the program in career tackles (Mosher – 193 | Bays – 174).
Drew Engels comes to IWU after spending the past four seasons at Erskine College (SC) as the offensive coordinator/quarterback coach for 2022-2023 and the offensive line coach from 2020-2021. Prior to his time at Erskine, Engels spent two seasons at Southeastern University (FL) as the Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator from 2018-2019. Coach Engels totals 16 years of coaching experience. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Hope College in 2008. He also earned a master’s degree in Sport Management from Western Michigan University in 2014. Coach Engels is a native of Grandville, MI and attended Grandville High School.
John Dutton joins the Wildcats’ football staff after spending one season as the offensive coordinator at Reno High School in Reno, Nevada from 2021-2022. Prior to his time at Reno, Dutton spent one season as the Head Coach of McCloud High School in 2019-2020 in McCloud, Calif. Coach Dutton kicked off his coaching career as the QB/WR coach at the College of The Siskiyous from 2007-2009 and 2015. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Ecology from The University of Nevada, Reno in 1998. Coach Dutton is a native of Fallbrook, Calf. and attended Fallbrook High School. He and his wife, Terina have 6 kids, Solomon, Miki, Kakaire, Zach, Drew, and Gabriella.
Dylan Hyatt comes to IWU after spending one season as the defensive backs coach and video coordinator at Kenyon College (Ohio). While at Kenyon, Hyatt coached a 2nd Team All-Conference safety. Prior to his time at Kenyon, he kicked off his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Anderson University (IN) working with defensive backs. Coach Hyatt played four years at DePauw University from 2017-2021. During his time with the Tigers, Hyatt was a two-time All-NCAC defensive back, a one-time All-Region defensive back, and the team’s Most Valuable Player on the 2021 North Coast Athletic Conference Championship squad. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication from DePauw University in 2021. Coach Hyatt is native of Brazil, IN and attended Northview High School.
