How Iowa football got this offseason right and wrong entering 2026
Iowa enters 2026 with a lot of questions about what went right and what went wrong during the offseason as they prepare for kickoff.
The sport of college football is no longer just August through December. With the transfer portal, spring ball, and constant media narratives being constructed, this sport runs for 24 hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Iowa Hawkeyes know that well after being forced to be much more active this offseason than in previous years.
The Hawkeyes are dealing with a hefty load of talented departures making their way to the NFL and are ushering in the next crop of talent, starting with an intense spring ball schedule. Inevitably, some stuff goes right, while other stuff goes wrong, and there is a constant shuffling among the roster and coaching staff each year. With 2026 now approaching fall camp, ESPN looked at Iowa's offseason and how it handled things.
Iowa football roster shuffling Iowa played in the transfer portal this year, which is headlined by newcomers in the running back room, defensive line depth, and a revamped secondary. Iowa wins games on the defensive side of the ball, and under offensive coordinator Tim Lester, runs the ball extremely effectively. Iowa football coaching staff The Hawkeyes rarely see coaching staff changes due to the continuity head coach Kirk Ferentz has built, but they are seeing one massive shakeup this year.
LeVar Woods, who built Iowa into arguably the top special teams unit in the country, has joined Pat Fitzgerald at Michigan State, creating room for Chris Polizzi. The Hawkeyes can't afford a drop off in this third of the game. Biggest coaching move : Longtime Iowa assistant and special teams ace LeVar Woods departed for Michigan State, leaving a significant hole on coach Kirk Ferentz's staff.
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