LeVar Woods, who spent more than a decade shaping Iowa’s special‑teams units, announced this week that he will join the coaching staff at Michigan State as assistant head coach and special‑teams coordinator. His departure marks the end of a period during which the Hawkeyes’ units consistently ranked among the nation’s best, earning numerous All‑Big Ten honors and five Rodgers‑Dwight Return Specialist awards.
Ferentz Reflects on a Decade of Excellence
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz took the opportunity to underscore the program’s long‑standing commitment to special‑team development, noting that the unit has been a cornerstone of the Hawkeyes’ identity since the early years of the school’s football history. He praised Woods for raising the bar and highlighted the ten first‑team All‑Big Ten selections that emerged under Woods’ guidance.
Ferentz also expressed confidence in Chris Polizzi, the newly appointed special‑teams coordinator. Polizzi previously served as a defensive analyst for Iowa and has recent experience as defensive coordinator at Tulsa and UT‑Martin, giving him a blend of internal insight and proven leadership.
The transition comes as Iowa looks to maintain its reputation for producing high‑caliber special‑teams talent. Ferentz emphasized that the program’s player‑development philosophy will continue to guide the unit, ensuring that the tradition of excellence endures under the new leadership.