Staff Directory
Robert Steeples
- Title:
- Cornerbacks
Robert Steeples joined the Badgers’ staff in December 2025 as Wisconsin’s cornerbacks coach. A former NFL player and current up-and-coming talent in the coaching ranks, Steeples arrived in Madison after two seasons as a senior offensive analyst at Iowa State. Steeples coached the LSU corners from 2022-23 and played the position at the college level (Missouri and Memphis) and in the NFL (2013-15).
In his first season at Iowa State, Steeples helped the 2024 Cyclones reach heights never before touched at the school as the team finished 11-3 overall, recording the first double-digit win season in program history. ISU finished 7-2 in Big 12 Conference action and ended the season ranked No. 15 in the Associated Press Top 25, the second-highest end of season ranking in school history.
Steeples worked with the Cyclone wide receivers and the group included one of the nation's best duos in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. The pair combined for 167 receptions, 2,377 yards and 17 touchdown receptions. Higgins and Noel were the first duo in school history and one of just two nationally in 2024 to each record 1,000 yards in the same season.
After a playing career at Missouri and Memphis, Steeples spent time in the professional ranks with the St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys from 2013-16. He went undrafted in 2013 but reached active status with the Vikings in 2013.
Steeples worked on Brian Kelly’s staff at LSU from 2022-23. He was cornerbacks coach for the Tigers and helped develop two 2023 NFL Draft picks in Jay Ward and Jarrick Bernard-Converse.
In 2022, the LSU pass defense ranked among the best in the SEC despite having a group of players who had never played together.
He was named to the AFCA 35 Under 35 2024 class which recognizes the top 35 coaches under the age of 35. He participated in the Coaches Leadership Institute alongside Cyclone coaches Deon Broomfield and Noah Pauley.
Steeples spent the 2021 season as an assistant special teams coach with the Minnesota Vikings, working with All-Pro kickoff returner Kene Nwangwu, who led the NFL in both kickoff returns for touchdowns (2) and kickoff return average (32.1).
The St. Louis, Missouri, native was head coach at De Smet Jesuit High School at his alma mater from 2016-21 following his NFL career.
In his first four seasons at De Smet, the team improved from 2-8 in his first season to state champions in 2019. During his final three seasons, Steeples led his team to a 29-4 record, which included a 20-game winning streak and back-to-back appearances in the state title game. His team ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation.
Steeples was named the 2020 All-American Bowl Coach of the Year after leading the Spartans to a 14-0 record and a state title in 2019.
He played his college football at Missouri (2009-11) and Memphis (2012), helping Missouri to bowl games in three-straight seasons.
Steeples earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration (2012) from Missouri and completed his master’s degree in business and social development at Memphis (2017).
The Steeples File
College: Missouri, 2012 B.S. Business Administration;
Memphis, 2017 M.A. Business and Social Development
Coaching Experience
2016-20 De Smet Jesuit High School (Head Coach)
2021 Minnesota Vikings (Asst. Special Teams)
2022-23 LSU (Cornerbacks)
2024-25 Iowa State (Senior Offensive Analyst)
2025-present Wisconsin (Cornerbacks)
Playing Experience
2009-11 Missouri
2012 Memphis
2013 St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings
2014 Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys
2015 Dallas Cowboys
In his first season at Iowa State, Steeples helped the 2024 Cyclones reach heights never before touched at the school as the team finished 11-3 overall, recording the first double-digit win season in program history. ISU finished 7-2 in Big 12 Conference action and ended the season ranked No. 15 in the Associated Press Top 25, the second-highest end of season ranking in school history.
Steeples worked with the Cyclone wide receivers and the group included one of the nation's best duos in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. The pair combined for 167 receptions, 2,377 yards and 17 touchdown receptions. Higgins and Noel were the first duo in school history and one of just two nationally in 2024 to each record 1,000 yards in the same season.
After a playing career at Missouri and Memphis, Steeples spent time in the professional ranks with the St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys from 2013-16. He went undrafted in 2013 but reached active status with the Vikings in 2013.
Steeples worked on Brian Kelly’s staff at LSU from 2022-23. He was cornerbacks coach for the Tigers and helped develop two 2023 NFL Draft picks in Jay Ward and Jarrick Bernard-Converse.
In 2022, the LSU pass defense ranked among the best in the SEC despite having a group of players who had never played together.
He was named to the AFCA 35 Under 35 2024 class which recognizes the top 35 coaches under the age of 35. He participated in the Coaches Leadership Institute alongside Cyclone coaches Deon Broomfield and Noah Pauley.
Steeples spent the 2021 season as an assistant special teams coach with the Minnesota Vikings, working with All-Pro kickoff returner Kene Nwangwu, who led the NFL in both kickoff returns for touchdowns (2) and kickoff return average (32.1).
The St. Louis, Missouri, native was head coach at De Smet Jesuit High School at his alma mater from 2016-21 following his NFL career.
In his first four seasons at De Smet, the team improved from 2-8 in his first season to state champions in 2019. During his final three seasons, Steeples led his team to a 29-4 record, which included a 20-game winning streak and back-to-back appearances in the state title game. His team ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation.
Steeples was named the 2020 All-American Bowl Coach of the Year after leading the Spartans to a 14-0 record and a state title in 2019.
He played his college football at Missouri (2009-11) and Memphis (2012), helping Missouri to bowl games in three-straight seasons.
Steeples earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration (2012) from Missouri and completed his master’s degree in business and social development at Memphis (2017).
The Steeples File
College: Missouri, 2012 B.S. Business Administration;
Memphis, 2017 M.A. Business and Social Development
Coaching Experience
2016-20 De Smet Jesuit High School (Head Coach)
2021 Minnesota Vikings (Asst. Special Teams)
2022-23 LSU (Cornerbacks)
2024-25 Iowa State (Senior Offensive Analyst)
2025-present Wisconsin (Cornerbacks)
Playing Experience
2009-11 Missouri
2012 Memphis
2013 St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings
2014 Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys
2015 Dallas Cowboys
Postgame Media Conference || Central Michigan
Tuesday, December 23
Highlights || Central Michigan
Monday, December 22
Highlights || IU Indy
Sunday, December 21
Postgame Media Conference || IU Indy
Sunday, December 21
