DES MOINES, Iowa--Spring practice will begin Wednesday, March 28, 2012, for the defending Pioneer Football League co-champion Drake Bulldogs. Fresh off a record-setting 9-2 season in 2011, Head Coach Chris Creighton's Bulldogs will begin their title defense with an afternoon practice on the 28th.

Led by reigning PFL Offensive Player of the Year Mike Piatkowski (Wheaton, Ill.) at quarterback, Drake will undertake 15 spring practices, including the 2012 Spring Scrimmage on Saturday, April 21, at 1 p.m., at Drake Stadium.

Practices are scheduled on the following days: March 28, 30 and 31; April 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 before the spring game.

The spring season also will again include the popular Drake Football Youth Day on the afternoon of Friday, April 20, at Drake Stadium.

Drake's coaching staff has a new leader in Brad McCaslin, who comes to the Bulldogs from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he coached for 14 seasons, including the last six as the Mavericks' defensive coordinator (2005-10). He also served as associate head coach his final four seasons.

McCaslin takes the position after 2011 defensive coordinator Brian Ward was hired by Western Illinois to be its coordinator.

The 2012 season schedule for the Bulldogs will be released in the coming weeks when kickoff times are confirmed.