September 11, 2026

Bradley University has named longtime Peoria educator and coach Rob Penney as the inaugural head coach of its new Premier Club Women’s Flag Football program.

Women’s Flag Football is one of five new women’s Premier Club Sports programs being introduced as part of Bradley’s commitment to expanding athletic opportunities and enhancing the Premier Student Experience. Women’s Flag Football, Women’s Ice Hockey, and Women’s Soccer will launch during the 2026-27 academic year, followed by STUNT and Women’s Wrestling.

“I moved to Peoria in 1993 and have always been a big Bradley fan,” Penney said. “I am so excited to continue my coaching career as a Bradley Brave and to be on the ground floor helping to build an amazing flag football program. This will be an exciting adventure.”

Penney brings more than three decades of experience in Peoria Public Schools and extensive coaching experience to the new Bradley program. He is currently finishing out his final seasons as head coach of the girls’ flag football and girls’ wrestling programs at Richwoods High School in Peoria, where he has also served as head coach of the boys’ wrestling program.

“Rob is an outstanding fit to help us launch Bradley’s first Premier Club Women’s Flag Football program,” said Craig Dahlquist, Director of Premier Club Sports at Bradley University. “His experience building and leading high school programs, his commitment to developing student-athletes and his deep connection to the Peoria community will be invaluable as we establish this new program. We’re excited to have him lead the way.”

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., surging at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, and even making its debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Sanctioned high school programs continue to expand across the country, and the NCAA has identified women’s flag football as an emerging sport.

To learn more about the program and player recruitment, visit Bradley Premier Club Sports.