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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa coaching staff Levar Woods, Tim Lester, and Kirk Ferentz, watch during an Iowa football practice at Ensworth High School in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. The Iowa Hawkeyes and Missouri Tigers will face off in the 2024 TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Monday, Dec. 30, at Nissan Stadium.

Iowa football notebook | Kirk Ferentz discusses opening of spring practice

Brad Schultz, Assistant Sports Editor March 26, 2025

Kirk Ferentz has been through many spring practices in his long tenure as Iowa football coach - 26 to be exact. The world has changed drastically in those 26 years, something Ferentz admits he's a little...

Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson embraces Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins after his interception during a football game between Iowa and Maryland at SECU Stadium in College Park, Md. on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Higgins had the most tackles with eight. The Hawkeyes defeated the Terrapins 29-13.

Iowa football’s coaching and defensive system not lost on its draft prospects

Chris Meglio, Sports Reporter March 26, 2025

Defense wins championships.  That’s a notable phrase among not only the sports world, but especially within the Iowa football program. And while the Hawkeyes haven’t captured any titles in...

Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson celebrates during the 2023 Wildcats Classic, a football game between Iowa and Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Jackson had seven total tackles. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wildcats, 10-7.

Iowa football’s Nick Jackson embraces versatility and mental acuity as NFL Draft prospect.

Matt McGowan, Sports Reporter March 25, 2025

For most NFL draft prospects, their pro day is a do-over, a second chance to show pro teams their on-field skills and physical attributes. That is, if they get invited to NFL Combine in Indianapolis,...

Iowa helmets sit on the sidelines before a football game between No. 18 Iowa and No. 17 Indiana at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. The Hawkeyes defeated the Hoosiers 34-6.

Iowa football hires Omar Young as new runnings backs coach

Matt McGowan, Sports Reporter March 14, 2025

Omar Young will be the next running backs coach for Iowa football, per a report from Chad Leistikow of The Des Moines Register on Friday morning. Young will replace Ladell Betts, a former Hawkeye...

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz walks along the sidelines during a football game between Washington and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. The Hawkeyes defeated the Huskies 40-16. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan)

Iowa football lands commitment from three-star wide receiver Brody Schaffer

Brad Schultz, Assistant Sports Editor March 5, 2025

Wide receiver Brody Schaffer has announced his commitment to the Iowa football team, per a post from his X account. Committed. 🖤💛#swarm26 #gohawkeyes #hawkeyefootball @HawkeyeFootball @RhettSmeins...

Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics.

Iowa football hires former Wake Forest offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero as senior offensive analyst

Jack Birmingham, Sports Reporter March 4, 2025

Former Wake Forest offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero has been named as a senior offensive analyst for the Iowa football team, per a report from 247Sports on Monday afternoon.  Iowa is hiring Warren...

Ladell Betts rushes against Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium Saturday afternoon on Nov. 24, 2001.

Iowa football running backs coach Ladell Betts taking same position with New York Giants

Brad Schultz, Assistant Sports Editor February 24, 2025

Iowa running backs coach Ladell Betts has been named to the same position with the NFL's New York Giants, The Athletic reported on Monday afternoon. Betts spent the past four seasons at his alma mater,...

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) celebrates with teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Cooper DeJean completes exceptional rookie season in ultimate fashion

Chris Meglio, Sports Reporter February 11, 2025

After the Philadelphia Eagles took down the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, 40-22, cornerback Cooper DeJean dug into a slice of vanilla cake gifted to him in celebration of a historic birthday. As...

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean runs the ball  during the Iowa homecoming football game between Iowa and Purdue at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The Hawkeyes defeated the Boilermakers 20-14. DeJean totaled 45 yards and three returns against Purdue.

X reacts to former Hawkeye defensive back Cooper DeJean pick-six in Super Bowl

Colin Votzmeyer, Sports Editor February 9, 2025

Like Cooper DeJean himself, the rookie Philadelphia Eagles defensive back’s pick-six in the Super Bowl on Sunday has taken the football world by storm. Cutting back across the middle from the...

Iowa players celebrate after a play during the 2024 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Iowa and No. 19 Missouri at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. The Tigers defeated The Hawkeyes 27-24.

Column | Iowa football’s transfer portal additions have improved the roster

Chris Meglio, Sports Reporter January 28, 2025

Kirk Ferentz just completed his 26th season as Iowa’s head football coach. Ferentz is currently the longest-tenured coach in the sport, but the landscape of college football has changed drastically...

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz instructs defensive players during the TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Iowa and Missouri at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. The Tigers defeated the Hawkeyes 27-24.

Column | Kirk Ferentz needs to fix Iowa football in 2025

Brad Schultz, Assistant Sports Editor January 21, 2025

Kirk Ferentz and Hayden Fry have plenty of great things in common.  Both men have led the Iowa football program for lengthy periods and have been very successful in the process, with Fry winning...

Iowa swarms the field during the TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Iowa and Missouri at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. The Tigers defeated the Hawkeyes 27-24.

Point/Counterpoint | Way-too-early predictions for Iowa football in 2025

Jake Olson and Colin Votzmeyer January 21, 2025

8-4 With the college football season officially over for the Iowa football program, it’s now time to do what most sane people do in the offseason — create a way-too-early prediction for the...

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