Dan Wodicka, a 2014 Johns Hopkins University graduate who served as defensive coordinator for the Blue Jays football team for the past two seasons, has been named JHU's next head football coach, the university announced Thursday.
Wodicka becomes the 28th head coach in Johns Hopkins history and succeeds Greg Chimera, who stepped down last month to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania.
"Among an exceptionally talented and diverse pool of candidates for our head coaching position, Dan Wodicka truly set himself apart as the best person to lead our football program," Johns Hopkins athletics director Jennifer Baker said. "While we have had many years to work closely with Dan as a member of our staff, the vision he presented for the future of our program is wide-reaching and impactful on all levels and demonstrates his deep-rooted passion for Blue Jay football and Johns Hopkins University. As a former player and assistant coach here, Dan understands what it means—and takes—to excel as a scholar-athlete at Johns Hopkins, and I look forward to working closely with him as he leads the young men who represent our program at the very highest level on the field and in the classroom."
Wodicka has spent 10 seasons with JHU's football program—four as a standout wide receiver and six as a member of the coaching staff. During those seasons, the Blue Jays have compiled a 100-16 record, won eight Centennial Conference championships, and made eight trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
"I am deeply honored and most grateful to be named the James F. Margraff Head Coach of Football at Johns Hopkins University," Wodicka said. "I look forward to continuing to work with our amazing student-athletes and building upon the championship tradition that Coach Margraff and Coach Chimera have set for this program. I would like to express my gratitude to our Director of Athletics, Jen Baker, and the search committee members for placing their trust in me through this tremendous opportunity. I would also like to thank Coach Chimera, who has positively impacted me and so many coaches and student-athletes in the Hopkins community through his outstanding leadership, mentorship and friendship."
Image caption: Dan Wodicka has been a member of the Blue Jays coaching staff for six season, including the past two as defensive coordinator.
Image credit: James T. VanRensselaer for Johns Hopkins University
Wodicka was promoted to defensive coordinator after the 2021 season and oversaw a defense that helped Hopkins to a combined record of 22-2 over the past two seasons. Under Wodicka's direction, the 2022 Blue Jays defense ranked 17th in the nation in rushing defense (73.0), 23rd in scoring defense (14.2), and 24th in total defense (258.5). The 73.7 yards allowed per game on the ground are the fewest in school history. This past season, Hopkins allowed 20.1 points and 325.8 yards per game while playing a schedule that ranked as the third most difficult in the nation.
Prior to being named defensive coordinator, Wodicka spent three years as the team's special teams coordinator and defensive line coach (2019-21) and two years as the wide receivers coach (2014-15). He has also been a member of the coaching staff at Division II Northern Michigan (2016) and DIII Williams College (2017-2018).
A native of West Lafayette, Indiana, Wodicka graduated from Johns Hopkins with a degree in biomedical engineering. As a member of JHU football team, he earned first-team all-conference honors in 2011 and 2012 and was a two-time D3football.com All-South selection as well. Wodicka concluded his playing career with 260 receptions for 3,148 yards and 16 touchdowns and was the program's career receptions leader when he graduated.
The Blue Jays are coming off a season in which they posted a 12-1 record, won the program's league-record 16th Centennial Conference title, and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the third time in program history in 2023.
"Our university, athletic department, and football program hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to expanding upon a tradition of success with our dedicated coaching staff and student-athletes," Wodicka said. "We are already collectively building for the 2024 season and are fully prepared and excited for the hard work and challenges that lie ahead for our team."
Wodicka's father, George, is a 1982 Johns Hopkins graduate, and his younger sister, Maggie, graduated from JHU in 2020 and was a four-year member of the Blue Jays women's basketball team.
Wodicka and his wife, Maria, live in Baltimore.
