Noah Pauley
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Pass game coordinator / Wide receivers coach |
| Team | Iowa State |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota Duluth (B.A. 2012, M.Ed. 2014) |
| Playing career | |
| 2007–2010 | Minnesota–Duluth |
| Position(s) | Wide receiver |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2011 | Minnesota–Duluth (Student Assistant) |
| 2013–2014 | Minnesota–Duluth (GA) |
| 2016–2018 | Minnesota–Duluth (OC/WR) |
| 2019–2022 | North Dakota State (WR) |
| 2023 | Iowa State (WR) |
| 2024–present | Iowa State (PGC/WR) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2× NCAA Division II (2008, 2010) 2× NCAA Division I FCS (2019, 2021) | |
| Awards | |
| AFCA 35 Under 35 (2024) | |
Noah Pauley is an American football coach and former player who is currently the pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Iowa State Cyclones. He previously held coaching positions at North Dakota State and Minnesota–Duluth.[1]
Coaching career
Minnesota–Duluth
Pauley began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he served as a student assistant in 2011 before becoming a graduate assistant from 2013 to 2014. He later returned to serve as the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2016 to 2018, coaching six all-conference receivers including All-American Aaron Roth.[1]
Between stints, he worked as assistant dean of students and athletics director at North Star Academy in Duluth.
North Dakota State
In 2019, Pauley joined the North Dakota State staff as wide receivers coach. During his tenure, the Bison won two Missouri Valley Football Conference titles and two FCS national championships (2019, 2021).[1]
He coached NFL wide receiver Christian Watson, a three-time all-conference selection who led NDSU in receiving three consecutive seasons. The 2019 Bison recorded the third-most passing yards (2,911) and touchdowns (29) in school history en route to a perfect 16–0 season and national title.[1]
In 2022, Pauley also participated in the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Green Bay Packers.[2]
Iowa State
Pauley joined Iowa State University in 2023 as wide receivers coach and was promoted to pass game coordinator in 2024.
In his second season, Iowa State went 11–3 and reached the Big 12 Championship Game before defeating Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The team featured one of the nation's top receiving duos: Jaylin Noel (80 catches, 1,194 yards, 8 TDs) and Jayden Higgins (87 catches, 1,183 yards, 9 TDs). Both finished in the national Top 10 in receiving yards and became the first duo in Cyclone history to each surpass 1,000 yards in a season. Higgins earned Associated Press Third-Team All-America honors.[2]
Pauley helped Iowa State finish with the first 11-win season in program history. The wide receivers combined for 10 100-yard receiving games in 2024.
In his first year (2023), Noel and Higgins combined for 119 receptions, 1,803 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Both earned All-Big 12 recognition, and receiver Daniel Jackson had career-best numbers under Pauley's guidance. Iowa State finished 7–6 and made an appearance in the Liberty Bowl.
Playing career
Pauley played wide receiver for Minnesota–Duluth from 2007 to 2010, winning two NCAA Division II national championships. He was a four-year starter, helping the Bulldogs to a 45–8 record during his career.[2]
Personal life
Pauley is a native of Duluth, Minnesota. He earned his bachelor's degree in criminology in 2012 and a master's in education in 2014, both from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He and his wife, Hannah, have two daughters, Ada and Lena.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "Noah Pauley - Football Coach". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Noah Pauley - Football Coach". Iowa State University Athletics.