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IOWA HAS AN OPENING AMONG THE FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACHING RANKS.
Recruiting coordinator/DL assistant Eric Johnson departs Iowa to pursue opportunity outside of football, per Iowa.
— marcmorehouse (@marcmorehouse) April 19, 2014
THE TIMING IS INTERESTING. Kirk Ferentz's club enters the final week of spring football. But, in life, you never know what and when opportunities will come. Johnson is leaving Iowa to "pursue an opportunity outside of football."
He is an original member of Ferentz's first coaching staff starting as graduate assistant in 1999. From there, he moved to quality control from 2000 to 2003. He took over as Ferentz's recruiting coordinator in 2003 and held that position until today. He also assisted with tight ends (2003-07, 2010-11), linebackers (2008-09) and defensive line (2012-2014).
How Ferentz will fill the position is unclear. Both Chris White and Bobby Kennedy have prior experience as a recruiting coordinator. White at Syracuse and Kennedy at Texas. While neither is expected to take over that role, they both could assist a young coach in learning the ropes in that area.
How Johnson's departure affects Iowa's recruiting effort for 2015 is unclear. At least on former player describes the impact Johnson had on their recruitment:
Damn Coach Johnson leaving Iowa?? He was one of the main reasons I committed to Iowa #greatguy
— Adrian Clayborn (@AJaClay) April 19, 2014
If there's more to the story, we'll provide updates later.