BALTIMORE, MD – Dan Wodicka, a 2014 Johns Hopkins graduate and most recently the Blue Jay defensive coordinator, has been named the University's James F. Margraff Head Coach of Football it was announced today by Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Director of Athletics and Recreation Jennifer S. Baker. Wodicka, who becomes the 28th head coach in Johns Hopkins history, takes over for Greg Chimera, who stepped down on January 4 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," Baker noted. "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."
During 10 seasons with the program (four as a player and six as an assistant coach), Wodicka has helped Johns Hopkins to a record of 100-16 (.862), eight Centennial Conference titles, eight trips to the NCAA Playoffs and two Centennial-MAC Bowl victories.
"I am deeply honored and most grateful to be named the James F. Margraff Head Coach of Football at Johns Hopkins University," Wodicka stated. "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."
Wodicka recently completed his second season as the Blue Jay defensive coordinator and seventh year (six seasons) as a member of the Johns Hopkins coaching staff. In addition to his two seasons as the 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).
Wodicka was promoted to defensive coordinator after the 2021 season and promptly led a defense that helped Johns Hopkins to a combined record of 22-2 with one Centennial Conference Championship (2023), a trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals (2023) and a Centennial-MAC Bowl victory (2022) during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Under Wodicka's direction, the 2022 Blue Jay 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. He followed that with a unit that allowed just 20.1 points and 325.8 yards per game during the 2023 season, when the Blue Jays played a schedule that ranked as the third most difficult in the nation. The Johns Hopkins defense finished 17th in the nation in interceptions (17) and 23rd in sacks per game (3.0) in 2023.
Wodicka began his coaching career as a member of Jim Margraff's staff in 2014 and 2015. During his first stint on the staff, he helped the Blue Jays to a 22-2 record, two Centennial Conference titles and two appearances in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs. Wodicka helped guide an offense that led the Centennial in scoring (37.2, 45.7) and total offense (434.4, 505.8) in 2014 and 2015 and he coached 2015 Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year Bradley Munday.
Wodicka moved to Division II Northern Michigan for the 2016 season. There, he coached the running backs, served as the team's video coordinator and helped produce the Wildcats' first 1,000-yard rusher since 2008.
From Northern Michigan, Wodicka moved to Williams College and spent two seasons as the wide receivers and tight ends coach. The Ephs posted a record of 11-7 in his two seasons there after winning a total of just six games in the previous four years combined. Wodicka conducted daily positional meetings, assisted in the overall offensive game planning and was heavily involved in Williams' national recruiting. He coached First Team All-NESCAC selection Frank Stola in 2018 and developed one of the youngest receiving corps in the league into a unit that contributed 166 receptions for 1,819 yards in 2017.
A native of West Lafayette, Indiana, Wodicka graduated from Johns Hopkins with a degree in biomedical engineering. As a member of the Blue Jay football team, he earned First Team All-Centennial honors in 2011 and 2012 and second team honors in 2013 and was a two-time D3football.com All-South selection as well. He concluded his career with 260 receptions for 3,148 yards and 16 touchdowns and was the program's career receptions leader when he graduated.
As a player, Wodicka was a member of four Centennial Conference championship teams and helped the Blue Jays to a four-year record of 38-7 and three appearances in the NCAA Playoffs.
"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 added. "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, while his younger sister, Maggie, graduated from Johns Hopkins in 2020 and was a four-year member of the Blue Jay women's basketball team.
Johns Hopkins 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.
Wodicka and his wife, Maria, live in Baltimore.
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