Mason City Native Seth Hestness Joins Iowa State as Tight Ends Coach

Hestness returns to his home state after coaching stints at North Dakota State, Tennessee State and Army.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Seth Hestness, a native of Mason City, Iowa, has been hired as the new tight ends coach for the Iowa State Cyclones football team. Hestness previously held coaching positions at North Dakota State, Tennessee State and Army over the past three seasons.

Why it matters

Hestness' homecoming to Iowa represents an opportunity for the Iowa State program to benefit from his coaching experience at the Division I and FCS levels, as they look to continue developing their tight end position group.

The details

After splitting time between coaching roles at North Dakota State, Tennessee State and Army over the last three seasons, Seth Hestness has returned to his home state of Iowa to take on the tight ends coaching position for the Iowa State Cyclones football team.

  • Hestness was hired as Iowa State's tight ends coach in February 2026.

The players

Seth Hestness

A native of Mason City, Iowa, Hestness has been hired as the new tight ends coach for the Iowa State Cyclones football team.

Iowa State Cyclones

The football team of Iowa State University, located in Ames, Iowa.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited to return to my home state and join the Iowa State program. They have a strong tradition of developing tight ends, and I look forward to continuing that success.”

— Seth Hestness

What’s next

Hestness will begin his new role with the Iowa State Cyclones in the upcoming 2026 college football season.

The takeaway

Hestness' homecoming to Iowa represents an opportunity for the Iowa State program to benefit from his diverse coaching experience as they look to continue developing their tight end position group.