Iowa Football Adds Four New Staff Members

Ferentz hires analysts to bolster offense, defense, and special teams

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz announced the hiring of four new staff members on Friday. Jay Norvell will serve as the senior football analyst (offense), Kevin Spencer will be special teams quality control, while Kyle Hazell (offense) and Mac McLeran (defense) are football analysts.

Why it matters

The new hires are part of Ferentz's strategy to strengthen the Hawkeyes' coaching staff with experienced analysts who can provide fresh perspectives and support the team's preparation. Analysts play a key role in modern college football, allowing coaches to focus on player development and game planning.

The details

Norvell is a former Hawkeye player who has extensive coaching experience at the college and professional levels, including stints at Nebraska, Oklahoma, and as a head coach at Nevada and Colorado State. Spencer returns to Iowa after previous stints with the program, bringing nearly five decades of coaching experience, including time in the NFL. Hazell and McLeran are rising young coaches who will provide analytical support for the offense and defense, respectively.

  • Ferentz announced the new hires on Friday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Kirk Ferentz

The University of Iowa's Moon Family Head Football Coach, who is overseeing the new staff hires to bolster his program.

Jay Norvell

A former Hawkeye player who will serve as the senior football analyst (offense) after a long coaching career at the college and professional levels.

Kevin Spencer

An experienced special teams coach who is returning to the Hawkeyes after previous stints with the program, bringing nearly five decades of coaching experience, including time in the NFL.

Kyle Hazell

A young coach who will serve as a football analyst on the offensive side of the ball after coaching stints at Toledo, Youngstown State, and Dayton.

Mac McLeran

A former all-state offensive lineman from Iowa who will work as a football analyst on the defensive side of the ball after coaching at Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa.

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What they’re saying

“Hiring analysts to support our football program makes us better in every way. Analysts allow our coaching staff to get a jump start on preparation and can offer a fresh perspective on trends and opportunities as we prepare for the season. I am pleased to add these four leaders to support our football program.”

— Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach (on3.com)

“Jay was an outstanding player at the University of Iowa when I was here in the 1980's. He has a long and varied coaching career that will be a real benefit to our offensive coaching staff and players.”

— Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach (on3.com)

“Kevin spent nearly three decades coaching in the National Football League and many years in college football. He knows first-hand the importance of special teams to our program and will be an asset to that unit going forward.”

— Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach (on3.com)

“Kyle and Mac both have experience in player development and have helped their programs improve at every level. We look forward to Kyle joining our offensive staff and Mac becoming involved with our defensive staff.”

— Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach (on3.com)

The takeaway

Ferentz's strategic hires of experienced analysts across offense, defense, and special teams demonstrate his commitment to continuously improving the Hawkeyes' coaching staff and providing the program with fresh perspectives and expertise to support player development and game preparation.