Iowa Football Announces New Coaching Hires

Hawkeyes add veteran coach Jay Norvell to lead running backs unit.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:12pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college football game, with players, field, and stadium rendered in sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the Iowa Hawkeyes and their opponent.Iowa's new coaching hires aim to build on the program's recent success through a fresh, innovative approach.Iowa City Today

The University of Iowa football program has announced several new coaching hires, including the addition of Jay Norvell as the team's new running backs coach. Norvell brings extensive experience as both a head coach and position coach at the college and professional levels.

Why it matters

Coaching hires are critical for any college football program, as they can significantly impact player development, recruiting, and overall team performance. Norvell's hiring is seen as a key move for the Hawkeyes as they look to build on their recent success and compete for Big Ten titles.

The details

In addition to Norvell, Iowa also announced the hiring of several other assistant coaches to round out head coach Kirk Ferentz's staff. The new hires are expected to provide fresh perspectives and expertise to help the Hawkeyes continue their winning ways on the gridiron.

  • The coaching changes were announced on March 30, 2026.

The players

Jay Norvell

An experienced college and NFL coach who will serve as Iowa's new running backs coach.

Kirk Ferentz

The longtime head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team.

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The takeaway

The addition of Jay Norvell and other new assistant coaches to the Iowa football staff is a clear sign that the program is committed to maintaining its high level of success and competitiveness in the Big Ten conference.