JR Drake

J.R. Drake became the head coach of the football program in 2023. 

Drake took over as Lebanon Valley's defensive coordinator in the fall of 2018 after being promoted from his former position of outside linebacker coach during the offseason. In 2021, Drake's defensive unit had the best statistical year in program history and was in the top 10 in the country in pass efficiency defense and passing yards allowed. The defense was ranked in the top 50 out of 244 NCAA Division III teams.

Drake has developed eight All-Conference players in the past four seasons, and Logan Grauer was named a special teams All-American in 2019. The Dutchmen were ranked first in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) in kickoff returns in 2018, first in blocked kicks in 2018 and 2019, second in turnovers and interceptions in 2019, and third in sacks in 2019 under his tutelage.

Drake, who has coached at LVC for 11 years, returned to The Valley for his second stint as an assistant coach in 2017. During the past six seasons, he has been the defensive coordinator, co-special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and academic coordinator. Drake's leadership helped the Dutchmen reach the program's first postseason game since 2013 and the first bowl game in 11 years last fall.

Before returning to Lebanon Valley, he spent two years at Louisburg College and two years at Anderson University. As the defensive backs coach and strength and conditioning coordinator at Louisburg College, he coached three all-conference players and helped Louisburg to a No. 4 overall defense ranking in the nation in 2014.

From 2009-12, he was the assistant wide receivers coach at LVC. While on the Dutchmen staff the first time around, Drake helped the team to three ECAC Bowl appearances and a pair of victories.

Drake was a wide receiver for LVC from 2007-09 and was a member of the ECAC-Bowl winning season in 2009. He resides in Hershey, Pa. with his daughter, Oakley, and son, Jett.