IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa football players LeVar Woods and Brian Ferentz have been named fulltime assistant coaches on the Hawkeye football staff.  Woods has been named linebacker coach, while Ferentz will coach the offensive line.  The staff announcements were made Saturday by head coach Kirk Ferentz.
 
“I am excited to have LeVar and Brian, two men with strong ties to our program and high school football within the state of Iowa, join our staff,” Kirk Ferentz said.  “LeVar and Brian had great careers at the University of Iowa and both have enjoyed unique experiences and opportunities since their graduation.  I am confident they will make positive and significant contributions in all areas of our program.”
 
Woods was a three-year letterman at Iowa and is a veteran of seven seasons in the National Football League.  He has served as an administrative assistant with the Iowa program since September, 2008.
 
Woods assumed the role of Iowa’s defensive line coach for the 2011 Insight Bowl.  Despite the loss to 14th-ranked Oklahoma, the Hawkeye defense held the Sooners to a season-low 275 yards of total offense and just 114 net rushing yards.  Iowa linemen recorded four tackles for loss and two sacks in that game.
 
During his NFL career, Woods played for Tennessee, Arizona, Chicago and Detroit. He signed with the Cardinals as a free agent in 2001 and spent the first four years of his career in Arizona.  In 88 career games Woods totaled 168 tackles, 2 ½ sacks, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
 
Woods lettered as a member of the Hawkeye football team from 1998-2000.  He was a two-year starter at outside linebacker, totaling 165 tackles, including 18 tackles for loss and four sacks.  He was a team captain and co-Most Valuable Player as a senior in 2000, and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after recording 97 tackles.  He was selected for the Blue-Gray All-Star game following his senior season.
 
Brian Ferentz, the son of Kirk Ferentz, joins the Iowa staff after being a member of the NFL’s New England Patriots organization for the past four years.  He served as tight ends coach in 2011, helping the Patriots win the AFC championship and a spot in the 2012 Super Bowl.  Brian was an offensive assistant coach in 2010.  He spent 2009 as a coaching assistant after serving as a scouting assistant for the Patriots during the 2008 season.
 
Under his direction, Patriots rookie tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez made a big impact in 2011. Gronkowski finished first among all rookie tight ends with 10 touchdown catches, while Hernandez ranked second with six touchdown receptions. Gronkowski and Hernandez are the first pair of rookie tight ends with at least five touchdowns in the same season in NFL history.
 
Brian is a three-year Hawkeye letterman, playing both offensive guard and center.  He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 2005, and was academic All-Big Ten in 2003.  He was a team captain as a senior and played on Iowa teams that were among the most successful in school history.  Brian was part of two Big Ten championship teams (2002 and 2004).  During his tenure as a player, Iowa participated in the BCS FedEx Orange Bowl, two Outback Bowls, and a Capital One Bowl, compiling an overall record of 38-12.
 
Brian was selected for the 2006 Hula Bowl following his Hawkeye career.  He signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons, and was a member of their practice squad in 2006.
 
Woods and Brian Ferentz were recipients of the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat Award” as seniors.  The award goes to the Hawkeye player who gives extraordinary effort on the field.
 
Iowa has one remaining position open on its staff, with Kirk Ferentz yet to name a replacement for former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ken O’Keefe.  O’Keefe recently resigned to accept a coaching position with the Miami Dolphins.

IOWA CITY, Iowa - - Phil Parker, defensive backfield coach at the University of Iowa the past 13 seasons, has been named defensive coordinator.  In addition, Darrell Wilson and Reese Morgan will take over new assignments on the Hawkeye coaching staff.  The announcement was made Tuesday by head football coach Kirk Ferentz. 

Wilson, who has served as Iowa’s linebackers coach for the past 10 seasons, will coach the defensive secondary.  Reese Morgan, a member of the staff for the past 12 seasons, will move from coaching the offensive line to the defensive line.

“Phil, Darrell and Reese have all done an outstanding job in our program for a significant period of time,” said Ferentz.  “I am confident they will have a very positive effect on our team as we transition forward.”

Parker, a member of the Iowa staff since Ferentz took over as head coach, replaces Norm Parker, who retired following this past season.  Phil Parker was named by Rivals.com in March, 2011, as a first team member of its College Football Assistant Coach Dream Team.

Over the past four seasons, Iowa is tied for fifth in the nation with 72 interceptions.  Iowa’s secondary in 2011 was led by senior Shaun Prater, who earned first team all-Big Ten honors for the second straight season, and junior Micah Hyde, who earned second team honors. 

Iowa was second in the Big Ten in pass efficiency defense (115.1) and interceptions (19) in 2010.  Iowa tied for 11th in the nation in interceptions, returning four thefts for touchdowns.  Defensive backs Tyler Sash and Shaun Prater were both named first team all-Big Ten, while Brett Greenwood earned second team honors and Micah Hyde was honorable mention.

Iowa, in 2009, ranked third in the nation in pass efficiency defense and fourth in pass defense while leading the Big Ten in both categories.  The Hawkeyes tied for fifth nationally with 21 interceptions while ranking eighth in scoring defense and 10th in total defense.  In 2008, Iowa ranked fourth in the nation while tying a school record with 23 interceptions.  The Hawkeyes led the Big Ten and ranked fifth nationally in pass efficiency defense (98.3) and scoring defense (13.0). 

Wilson has coached all the linebacker positions and special teams after working with special teams and outside linebackers in his first six seasons with the Hawkeyes.  Wilson was named by Rivals.com in February, 2011 as one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation.

Iowa, in 2010, ranked fifth in the nation in total defense (332.1), sixth in rushing defense (101.5) and seventh in scoring defense (17.0).  Iowa also tied for seventh in turnover margin (+13) and 11th in interceptions (19).  Iowa’s special teams ranked sixth nationally in punt coverage (3.9) and 12th in kickoff returns (25.3).

Morgan has served as Iowa’s offensive line coach the last nine seasons after spending the first three as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.

Among the reasons for Iowa’s recent success has been the play of Iowa’s offensive line, working under the direction of Morgan.  With two new starters in 2011, the Hawkeye offensive line led the way as Iowa’s offense featured a 3,000-yard passing quarterback and a running back and wide receiver who each gained over 1,300 yards.

Junior tackle Riley Reiff earned first team all-Big Ten honors in 2011, along with earning All-America recognition from several media outlets.  In addition, senior guard Adam Gettis was named second team all-Big Ten and junior center James Ferentz and senior tackle Markus Zusevics earned honorable mention recognition.

Iowa’s offensive line featured three first-year starters in 2010.  Still, the Hawkeyes ranked among the national leaders in fewest penalties, fewest penalty yards, QB sacks allowed and fewest turnovers.  Senior guard Julian Vandervelde and sophomore tackle Riley Reiff earned second team all-Big Ten honors.  Vandervelde was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by Philadelphia.  Iowa has had at least one offensive lineman selected in seven of the last nine NFL drafts.

In 2009, tackle Bryan Bulaga was named Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Big Ten, earning first team all-conference honors.  Bulaga declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season in 2009 and was the 23rd player selected in the 2010 NFL Draft when he was taken by the Green Bay Packers.  Bulaga earned a starting spot at right tackle for the Super Bowl champion Packers as a rookie.  He is the youngest player ever to start in the Super Bowl.

Iowa, in 2008, ranked third in the Big Ten and 26th nationally in rushing yards per game (188.7).  Iowa featured running back Shonn Greene, who earned the Doak Walker Award as the top running back in the nation.  Greene was the only running back in the nation to rush for over 100 yards in every game during the 2008 season.

As tight ends coach in 2002, Morgan coached tight end Dallas Clark to consensus All-America honors.  Clark was also named winner of the John Mackey Award, which goes annually to college football’s top tight end.  Clark was named to at least seven first team All-America teams. Clark has earned a Super Bowl championship with the Indianapolis Colts and earned all-Pro honors in 2009.

Iowa begins spring practice March 24.  The Hawkeyes will hold their final open practice/scrimmage of the spring on Saturday, April 14 in Kinnick Stadium.

Since 1912 the Iowa Boys' State Basketball Tournament has offered the state and its fans many exciting moments. In observance of the first 100 years of the tournament, the IHSAA is using the weeks leading up to the tournament and the tournament itself to celebrate the first 100 years.

A special logo commemorating the 100 Year Celebration of State Basketball Tournaments is posted on the basketball page of the IHSAA website. The IHSAA encourages media and schools to utilize use of the logo and the information available on the basketball page of the Association's web site in their coverage of basketball.

Earlier this winter, the Association assembled a blue-ribbon panel consisting of former state tournament coaches; school administrators; veteran fans (some of whom were former players and coaches); members of the media; and game officials to recall "great moments from state tournament games." Independently they arrived at those tournament moments that still shine brightly in their memories.

No pre-set number of moments was given to the Committee. Those that were introduced were included in the draft with some being grouped by commonalities. With such a daunting task, the IHSAA realizes that the committee's "great moments" were not all inclusive. Rather they are a compilation of the committee's memories of the first 100 years, 219 championship games, and over 108,000 minutes of action. They constitute a legacy that embodies the richness of education-based interscholastic athletics. It is intended to represent a cross section of the history of the tournament and is presented in categorical and chronological order.

The "Great Moments" can be found on the basketball page of the website. In addition a plethora of archived information, including every score from the 100 State Tournaments and numerous records and all-time bests can be found by clicking on the word "Archives" above the red QuikStats banner on the basketball web page.

The IHSAA wants fans to review the "moments" which includes the facilities that have hosted the State Tournament; innovations that were used in the tournament structure, record setting coaches, fans and officials, tournament nuggets and notable firsts, and a chronology of the "state tournament highlights the committee identified. As they read the information and highlights, they are invited to submit other state tournament moments they recall for consideration for inclusion in the list. Entries need not be from a championship game. Additions for consideration can be emailed to Bud Legg ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

Others are welcomed and invited by the Athletic Association to join in the celebration. Media outlets, schools, and private individuals who have photos of past State Tournament games that can be used in the special tournament program, arena displays or video presentations are urged to send them to the IHSAA. Full credit lines for photographs used will be given and all pictures will be returned. The pictures can be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed to the Iowa High School Athletic Association; PO Box 10; Boone, IA 50036-0010.

As the tournament nears the IHSAA will develop posters, brief video presentations to be played before the State Tournament games, and a variety of displays and activities relating to the celebration of the first 100 years. Activities will be designed to enhance the history of the tournament but not detract from the unique experience this year's qualifiers will have.