Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa football program have had plenty of success over the past decade, but have ultimately fallen short of their final goal of winning the Big Ten and a national championship. Last season, the Iowa football faithful cringed at the offense's weeks-long ineptitude that ultimately led to the removal of Brian Ferentz as offensive coordinator.
Ferentz now serves as an offensive analyst for Maryland football. Iowa football has moved on with Tim Lester as their offensive coordinator, a change that brings with it a shift to a style of football similar to the Green Bay Packers' current system according to a report from the Des Moines Register.
The news came amid praise of former Hawkeyes defense back Cooper DeJean's from the Philadelphia Eagles' general manager. DeJean got a response from Hawkeyes legend Caitlin Clark on his claim that he would beat her 1-on-1.
Iowa football's new offensive system under Tim Lester and Kirk Ferentz is expected to be a lot more exciting that the one fans were forced to witness last season. With elements of Coach Matt LaFleur's Green Bay Packers' current system, there is much hope for a resurgence in Iowa City and plenty of additional smiles on the faces of kids at the University of Iowa Children's overlooking Kinnick Stadium.
Lester's Packers ties, Iowa future
Lester spent the 2023 season with Coach Matt LaFleur's Green Bay Packers as an analyst, a tie that he has decided to maintain thus far during his time with the Hawks.
Recently, Lester and Iowa football staff members met with Packers coaches for dinner on May 28 before attending practice the following day, according to the Register.
Former Iowa running back Ladell Betts, now the running backs coach for Ferentz's team, recalled how well received Lester's plans were among Green Bay's coaches.
“He was 100% the catalyst,” Betts said. “It was good to see that, too.
“A guy that only spent one year somewhere, he was so well-received when we went in – from the players to the coaches. It just shows me that he must have made an impact. They clearly remembered who he was. That's a good sign that you're dealing with a great guy.”
Iowa football's new offensive outlook
The Hawkeyes' veteran linebacker Jay Higgins said recently that Lester's new system has plenty of different wrinkles, ones that appear similar to the Packers' offense to those watching from the sidelines.
Constant motion and pre-snap alignments with a run-focused attack are the hallmarks of Lester's offense according to Betts and Higgins, developments that could make for an exciting fall in the newly transformed Big Ten Conference.
With freshmen Brevin Doll and Xavier Williams having reported to Iowa City this month, the Iowa football running game is expected to take plenty of pressure off of Cade McNamara and perhaps Iowa football Coach Kirk Ferentz as calls for his job have intensified in recent years.
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