Why LeVar Woods’ departure changes Iowa football’s special teams unit

IOWA CITY — Iowa football wouldn’t be Iowa football without special teams coordinator LeVar Woods. It’s that simple.

The Hawkeyes have had their special teams coordinator for the last seven years. He’s produced All-Americans, skyrocketing Iowa’s return game to become a staple and helping usher in players who are notorious for breaking records.

Woods wasn’t even initially interested in special teams as an athlete, let alone coaching it. He was a linebacker, who coached the Hawkeyes’ linebackers and tight ends before taking over the third phase. Then he fell in love with it.

“I think you also understand just how important that's been for 27 years in our thinking as a program, just the value of special teams,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “I'm really appreciative of the way he's taken that role, what he did with it in growing it, and just did an absolutely fantastic job.”

Thursday afternoon, after keeping the announcement quiet, Woods and Ferentz announced Woods has accepted a job on Pat Fitzgerald’s staff at Michigan State.

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LeVar Woods to leave Iowa football for Michigan State

What made Woods decide to leave the place he’s called home for so long? The answer is the same piece of advice he’s given players for years.

If you see an opportunity, take it.

“There comes a time when I feel called to stretch and grow and try to pursue a different opportunity, expand professionally, take on a new challenge,” Woods said, “and I feel like that time is now.”

Woods will coach Iowa through the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve before departing for East Lansing, but there’s no other way to beat around the bush — Iowa has a gaping hole to fill.

“It's not a light decision,” Ferentz said. “The trick will be to find the next LeVar Woods ... Special teams is a unique niche.”

Woods has coached multiple consensus All-Americans — notably kicker Keith Duncan (2015-19), punter Tory Taylor (2019-23) and most recently, return ace Kaden Wetjen. He’s helped his players find ways to kick game-winning field goals, return kickoffs and punts, and in many cases, has been the reason Iowa’s picked up key conference wins.

More than anything else, Woods has advocated for his players on and off the field.

“I hope they know I cared about them,” Woods said “I see in them more than they see in themselves. I hope they know that, that they always had an opportunity, and I tried to push them to be the best that they can.”

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He wasn’t afraid to interrupt a press conference, pointing out how he believes Wetjen should win the Jet Award for the second straight year. He made sure to acknowledge kicker Drew Stevens’ record-breaking kick during the Penn State comeback win, and how his journey has made an impact.

Woods has brought Iowa’s special teams EPA to one of the best in the country since 2016, sitting only behind San Diego State.

“It's like a good player — players do the work,” Ferentz said. “LeVar has done a great job immersing himself and learning every aspect and then growing with each and every turn. So I guess I'm describing what we're looking for, a guy who's a good coach, who's eager to take a challenge on, and immerse themselves in that world.”

So, how do you replace LeVar Woods? Is there another version of him out of the college football universe? Maybe, but Ferentz and the rest of the coaching staff have some time to figure that out in 2026.

Then Woods will return to Iowa City in a few years, wearing Michigan State’s green and white, and continue working toward his goal of becoming a head coach.

“I feel like I just need to see something different,” Woods said. “I challenge the players all the time to grow or get uncomfortable, put yourself in those positions.”

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