IOWA CITY, Iowa — Seth Wallace has become the first person named assistant head coach at Iowa under Kirk Ferentz, the program announced Tuesday afternoon.
Wallace, 41, has served as linebackers coach since 2016 and added assistant defensive coordinator responsibilities in 2017. Three different linebackers have earned first-team All-America honors under Wallace — Josey Jewell (2017), Jack Campbell (2022) and Jay Higgins (2023).
“Seth is an excellent coach and has been an asset to our coaching staff for many years,” Ferentz said in a statement. “He works tirelessly to develop our players into outstanding men on and off the field. I am grateful that he is a part of our program.”
Seth Wallace has been elevated to Assistant Head Coach.
Full release below, with info regarding additional staff updates. #Hawkeyes
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 16, 2024
Several Big Ten schools have courted Wallace, most recently Minnesota, but the Grinnell, Iowa native has remained on Iowa’s staff. His annual salary rises from $755,000 to $1 million.
“Being able to coach at the University of Iowa with such great players, coaches and staff members is really an honor,” Wallace said in a statement. “The University of Iowa and this football program are both very special to me. I am appreciative of this new, expanded role and look forward to preparing our athletes for the upcoming season and beyond.”
The move could put Wallace on the fast track to become a head coach, either as Ferentz’s eventual successor or at another college program.
The Hawkeyes also made two other coaching moves in recent days. Wide receivers coach Kelton Copeland’s contract was not renewed after seven seasons with the program. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach, saw his salary increase to $1.9 million from $1.4 million.
GO DEEPER
Iowa DC Phil Parker wins Broyles Award as nation’s top assistant coach
Iowa led the nation in yards per play allowed (4.08) for the second consecutive season, which was quite a feat considering it faced the fourth most plays (970) of any defense. The Hawkeyes ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense (14.8), fifth in passing yards per game (170.7) and seventh in total defense (282.5) in 2023. Iowa allowed one touchdown or less in 10 games in 2023 and in 19 of the last 28 games.
What about offensive coordinator?
According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, Ferentz had conversations with former Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst about the offensive coordinator position. Although the intent officially was unclear, at least one source said the job was Chryst’s if he wanted it. However, Chryst, who spent this season as an analyst at Texas, ultimately declined the position.
On Oct. 30, Iowa interim athletics director Beth Goetz announced offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz would not return following the season. In multiple gatherings at the Citrus Bowl, Ferentz said he hoped to have his son’s replacement installed by the third week of January. According to one person with knowledge of the situation, Ferentz told his staff last week he planned to hire the offensive coordinator by late January.
According to a news release, “The search for an offensive coordinator is ongoing and an announcement is expected in the near future.”
The timeline to hire a wide receivers coach remains unclear.
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(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
