Cody Baethke

Dan L. Vander Beek Photography

Title

Associate head coach/defensive coordinator
Email

baethkec@central.edu
Phone

641-628-5616

	COACHING RESUME
	2026-present - Central College
	Associate head coach/defensive coordinator
	2018-2025 - Coe College
	Associate head coach (2024-25)
	Defensive coordinator/defensive backs (2018-25)
	2013-17 - Central College
	Recruiting coordinator (2017)
	Assistant coach - safeties (2014-17)
	Assistant coach - tight ends/kickers/punters (2013)
	2012 - University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
	Graduate assistant coach - outside linebackers
	2011 - Glenbard South [Ill.] HS
	Defensive back coach
	ATHLETICS CAREER
	2006-10 - Central College
	EDUCATION
	Central College, 2010
	B.S.,
	University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, 2014
	M.S.,
	HOMETOWN
	Williamsburg, Iowa

Cody Baethke rejoined the Central football staff as associate head coach and defensive coordinator in January of 2026

Baethke previously served for five years as an assistant coach for the Dutch from 2013 to 2017. He has been the defensive coordinator at Coe College since 2018, adding associate head coach to his title before the 2024 season.

He was the American Football Coaches Association Division III Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024 while spearheading a Kohawk defense that was consistently among the best in Division III. In 2023, Baethke's defense finished top 10 in the country in six different categories. He helped Coe reach consecutive NCAA Division III playoff berths.

A native of Williamsburg and 2010 Central graduate, Baethke was a four-time letterwinner for the Dutch football team and was named second-team all-conference defensive back in 2009. He is seventh on the school leaderboard with 33 career passes defended. Central won three Iowa Conference championships and posted a 46-9 overall record during his career. He earned a master's degree from the University of Wis.-Eau Claire in 2014.

Baethke was a defensive backs coach at Glenbard South (Ill.) High School before serving as outside linebackers graduate assistant coach at Wis.-Eau Claire. Baethke's wife Nichole is also a Central graduate and a former Dutch volleyball player. They have three children together.

Coaching achievements

Central College

Team has a 35-15 (.700) record, 26-11 (.702) mark in conference games in five seasons
(4) All-conference honorees as safeties

Coe College

Team had 55-19 (.743) record in his seven seasons
(3) NCAA Division III playoff appearances
(1) Conference defensive MVP

Wis.-Eau Claire

Team had 4-6 (.500) record in his one season

Athletics career

Central College

Team had 46-9 (.836) record in his five seasons
(4) varsity letters
Second team all-conference defensive back in 2009
Seventh in program history with 33 career passes defended
(3) Iowa Conference championships (2006, 2007, 2009)