Levar Woods (via mengelbert)
Last night's Hawk Talk offered a few news items. Head football coach Kirk Ferentz said that Mika'il McCall will not travel to Phoenix with the team. Ferentz didn't discuss Coker's issue beyond what is already public but did say "they will live" with the decision. He also said Levar Woods will be promoted to coach the defensive line in Kaczenski's absence. Ferentz said he will deal with McCall and the new additions to the coaching staff after the bowl game.
About Levar Woods. His previous title with Iowa, before his current role as interim defensive line coach, was administrative assistant. Woods is the man behind the Hawkeye Football Twitter account and Facebook page. He also has a personal Twitter account and an account for his football camp he organizes each Summer.
In addition to the social media accounts he's the man that helped bring us GoHawks.com. There, fans and prospective football players can watch videos about Iowa's team, strength and conditioning and game highlights. Last February, GoHawks gave us a signing day blog that had bios and videos for each Hawkeye recruit that were published as they sent in their LOI.
Why does any of that matter? Well, in terms of recruiting, Woods is hip with technology. Especially social media and how 16-18 year old young men communicate. That's why he's on staff and his work has been outstanding marketing the Iowa program via the Internet.
A full-time defensive coaching position hasn't been given to him yet but he's filled in before. When Norm Parker was unable to coach Iowa's defense in 2010 it was Woods that moved up temporarily. It isn't a surprise that he's next-man-in in Kaczenki's absence and maybe it's a safe assumption he gets a permanent position.
Woods doesn't have a resume full of coaching experience, aside from brief stints assisting while Norm Parker was ill. He's had experience organizing a Summer football camp that along with fellow former NFL and Hawkeye football players teach kids football skills. And there's his NFL experience.
Woods graduated from Iowa in 2000. He was recruited by Hayden Fry and finished his career playing for Ferentz. Woods signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2001 as an undrafted free agent. He played seven seasons in the NFL for four teams; the Cardinals, Bears, Lions and Titans.
During his career he played under defensive coordinators Norm Parker, Larry Marmie and Dick Jauron. He's had Kirk Ferentz, Jeff Fischer and Steve Mariucci as head coaches. What he lacks in coaching experience he makes up with coached experience. He's able to walk into a recruit's home and look them in the eye and say, "I went to Iowa. I played for Coach Ferentz. I played in the NFL. You can too."
If he can be a successful position coach remains to be seen. He graduated with a degree in elementary education. He's prepared to be a teacher. He's worked under Ferentz, one of the game's best teachers.
I encourage you to read his Hawkeye bio (linked directly above). It's impressive. Ferentz named Woods a team captain at Iowa. He was a leader as a player and has continued that throughout his life.
Getting a little frustrated because you haven't heard why Marcus Coker or Mika'il McCall are suspended? You've read the rumors. Academic related, possible legal problems, or worse (if you read message boards). It's possible we will never read an official release about what Coker or McCall did. The "undisclosed violation of team rules." There's a reason why, and ESPN has a good read on the subject.
Hoops. The Hawkeyes take on Boise State tonight in what will be a solid prep for Big Ten play. Iowa's preseason schedule hasn't been very exciting and Iowa has played poorly against opponents with a pulse. Boise and Iowa have a common opponent. BSU beat Drake 108-64 and are 14th nationally in three point shooting.
The Hawkeyes will need another solid performance from sophomore Devyn Marble. In his last eight games he's averaging 13.3 points per. He took over the starting role at point guard when Bryce Cartwright suffered a leg injury.
Another player that is coming off a recent strong performance is freshman Gabe Olaseni. He hasn't played a lot this season but had eight points and three block shots against Central Arkansas. Olaseni is a guy you'd like to red shirt but Iowa's program isn't yet in a situation to do that.
Other links of interest:
- Talkin' Hawks podcast
- Steven Staggs is conflicted
- Three Hawkeyes earn top seeds at Midlands
- No slowing down for Oklahoma
- Hawkeyes simply don't have many offensive weapons to test the Sooners
- OU: Calling all tailbacks
- Aaron Ripkowski's injury won't slow the Sooners' Belldozer package
- Jim "J.R." Ross of the WWE talks Oklahoma Sooners football
- Wednesday evening football practice pics
- Wisconsin's Paul Chryst to Pitt
- The dunking tomato
- Jason Horowitz and Spencer Tillman preview Iowa vs. OU
- Good riddance to the Sooners that leave team