This bio is now a part of a historical archive, the individual was on the coaching staff from 2018 to 2023 and is no longer employed by Wilkes University.
Jonathan Drach was named head coach of the Wilkes University football team on February 8, 2018 becoming the ninth mentor of the program since its inception in 1946. Drach serves as the Offensive Coordinator as well as working with the Colonel quarterbacks.
Now entering his sixth season as the Colonels head coach, Drach has a 27-14 overall record through four seasons of competition, with the program reaching at least six wins every season (2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022). In 2023 Drach will lead the Colonels transition into the Landmark Conference.
Last season Wilkes finished 7-3 overall and 5-3 in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). The program received 10 all-conference selections in 2022 which was the most for the team since the 2006 season. Running back Elijah Jules earned the MAC Offensive Player of the Year as he was the first Colonel to do so since 2006. He was joined as First Team All-MAC by center Billy Anderson. Wide receiver Nate Whitaker, defensive lineman Adam Piston, defensive back Leroy Marshall, and punter Alex Orlando were named to the Second Team. Quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez, offensive lineman Aidan Palochik, defensive lineman Angel Ramos, and linebacker Brandon Holcomb were selected Honorable Mention. Jules (First Team) and Anderson (Third Team) were Drach's first All-Region selections by D3football.com as Jules was the first First Team All-Region player for Wilkes since 2010.
Anderson, Orlando, Piston, and Whitaker were named to the Academic All-MAC Team in 2022 with the four selections being the most for the program since the inception of the award. Anderson was named the MAC Football Senior Scholar-Athlete for the 2022-23 season becoming just the second Colonel to earn the presitogious distinction.
In 2021 Wilkes finished its third season with six or more wins under Drach as the Colonels finished 6-4 including 5-0 start to the season. Five different Colonels earned All-MAC honors including Second Team selections linebackers Oyame Adoga and Dante Gazzola and Honorable Mentions wide receiver/return specialist Nate Whitaker, defensive lineman Pat Ricci and punter Alex Orlando.
Wilkes continued its success in 2019 when Drach led the Colonels to an 8-3 overall record finishing 6-2 in MAC play earning a postseason berth for the first time since 2010 and the program's first trip to the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. The eight wins were also the most since since 2006 when the Colonels went undefeated in the regular season winning the MAC championship and earning an NCAA berth. For the second consecutive season four Colonels were selected as All-MAC performers under the direction of Drach in 2019, including the first First-Team defensive pick since 2015 in linebacker Bud Moyer. Defensive lineman Vinnie Werner was selected to the Second Team while quarterback Jose Tabora and kick returner Nate Whitaker garnered Honorable Mention. Drach mentored Moyer to the Colonels first All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) selection since 2012 when the senior was named to the All-ECAC First Team Defense. Moyer and Werner were Drach's first Academic All-MAC selections for first recipients since the 2015 season.
Drach pioneered one of the biggest turnarounds in Division III football in 2018 when he led the Colonels to a 6-4 record after the team went winless in 2017. The six wins matched the best mark since the 2012 season.
Under Drach's leadership the 2018 squad ranked in the top 50 out of 247 Division III teams and in the top two of 11 MAC teams in several statistical categories including third down conversion percentage (21st NCAA – 1st MAC) 48.0%, passing offense (30th – 1st) 273.8 yards-per-game, time of possession (21st – 1st) 33:02, first down offense (T-50th – 2nd) 220, passing first downs (T-16th – 1st) 134, first down defense (T-36th – 1st) 153, net punting (47th – 2nd) 34.41 yards-per-punt, passing touchdowns (2nd MAC) 24, kickoff return average (1st MAC) 19.9 yards-per-return, point-after-try kicking percentage (1st MAC) 96.9% on 31-of-32, and punt return yards allowed (1st MAC) 47 total yards. The 2018 team also set a new program record with 2,738 passing yards.
Four Colonels were named All-MAC under Drach in 2018 as quarterback Jose Tabora was named to the Second Team while receiver Jeff Steeber, linebacker Bud Moyer and defensive back Devon Fink all garnered Honorable Mention selections.
Drach is currently a member of the NCAA Rules Committee, beginning his duties in February 2023. He was a speaker at the AFCA Convention 2021 and 2023 and is a member of the AFCA Head D3 coaches committee.
Drach came to Wilkes after 11 years at Hobart. As the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Hobart, Drach was instrumental in leading the Statesmen to six Liberty League Conference championships, seven NCAA playoff appearances (two Sweet Sixteens/one Elite Eight) and three consecutive undefeated regular seasons. He began his career as quarterbacks coach in 2007 until adding offensive coordinator to his responsibilities in 2014. Since his transition to offensive coordinator, Drach's offenses have increased their completion percentage by 10 percent over the previous school record. His offenses also set school marks in singles season touchdown/interception ratio, passing yards, completion percentage, passing efficiency, passing touchdowns and total offense all while going 92-24 over the past eleven seasons.
Drach coached the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017 and the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2016. He also coached seven All-League quarterbacks and the Bill Middleton Memorial Football Award Winner.
During his time at Hobart, Drach made it clear that he had a vested interest in the academic success of his student-athletes by coordinating academic support programs and working with faculty to improve player academic performance. These efforts helped the team maintain a 3.08 grade point average in his last season.
A native of St. Charles, Ill., Drach earned his bachelor's degree in business finance and economics from Western Michigan University in 2004. Drach was a member of the 2000 Western Michigan Broncos squad that won the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. A three-year starter , he enjoyed his finest year as a senior, completing a single season record 67 percent of his passes for 1,499 yards and 13 TDs.
During his time at Western Michigan, Drach earned a spot on the Dean's List six times, was a two-time MAC All-Academic Team selection, and received the Broncos' 2003 John Gill Scholar-Athlete Award.
Recruiting Areas
Pennsylvania (Counties) – Berks, Lehigh, Northampton
Other States- Arizona, South Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
