UIS welcomed Colin Wood as the University of Illinois Springfield’s inaugural head coach for the new UIS women’s flag football program in a press conference on Tuesday, February 3.
Exactly two months prior, on December 3rd, UIS announced that it would add women’s flag football as the 18th sport for the division, making it the second Division 2 School in Illinois to announce adding women’s flag football in 2027, behind conference opponent Lewis.
Colin Wood comes to UIS with an extensive background in college athletics and coaching football. Most recently in 2025, Wood spent time with the University of Florida as a special teams analyst in their football program. Before that, Wood built a strong foundation at Division 3 school North Central College.
In 2022, Wood helped North Central’s football team through an undefeated season that ended with the Division 3 national championship game. Since 2019, North Central has appeared in 6 straight national championship games.
UIS Athletic Director, Mike Hermann, described Wood as someone who knows how to prioritize for success.
“He is somebody who focuses on the important details,” said Hermann.
With Wood’s background, Hermann said he is confident the new coach can overcome the challenges that come with leading a new team and a new program. And with the rise in popularity of women’s flag football, Hermann said he is looking forward working with Wood to build a culture of sustained success that provides a rich student-athlete experience.
Born in Elgin, Wood comes to Springfield already familiar with Illinois. But going from Division 1 in Florida to Division 2 in Springfield is a big move, especially when you have to relocate your entire family. Wood was accompanied at the press conference by his wife, Sarah, whom he described as being supportive and by his side every step of the way.
In building the new women’s flag football program, Wood will have to start from scratch, but, to him, the identity of the team connects on a wider level to what already exists as part of campus life and culture.
“UIS provides a family and a community, and that’s something I want to step into,” Wood said.
The first season for women’s flag football kicks off in the spring of 2027 at the new Springfield Scheels Sports Park, where all of the UIS Prairie Stars home games for flag football will be hosted. Fans can keep up with the progress of women’s flag football as coach Wood begins his recruiting search at UISPrairiestars.com, as well as, @uisflagfootball on all social media.
