Tag: Seth Wallace

ESPN puts Seth Wallace among college football coaches next in line for big jobs

Seth Wallace could be among those gaining traction to land a big job offer soon.

Could the Iowa Hawkeyes see one of their own lured away for another big collegiate job offer?

Seth Wallace, the current co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Hawkeyes, finds himself gaining some traction as an attractive name among the collegiate ranks.

ESPN recently listed Seth Wallace in their list of coaches who are next in line for big offers. While they take note of his reluctance to leave Iowa, they know his name could catch some eyes.

He was the choice to fill in for Kirk Ferentz as the nation’s longest-tenured coach missed Iowa’s season opener due to a suspension. Wallace, 45, works closely with primary defensive coordinator Phil Parker and has helped Iowa’s defense become a perennially elite unit.

He has had opportunities to leave Iowa but has remained at the flagship school of the state where he has spent most of this life. Wallace would be a top internal candidate to replace Ferentz, but could generate some attention outside Iowa. – Adam Rittenberg, ESPN

Wallace led the Hawkeyes to a win over Illinois State earlier this season when he filled in as the head coach while Kirk Ferentz served a one-game suspension for a recruiting violation.

The path for Wallace to the head job at Iowa is clear but is not a guarantee. The other name floating internally, should Iowa promote versus hiring externally, is special teams coordinator LeVar Woods.

If Woods were to get the head job, does Wallace stick around at Iowa in hopes of eventually taking over the defensive coordinator role when Phil Parker leaves or spread his wings and take on the challenge elsewhere?

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Iowa’s offseason emphasis on takeaways already paying off

Iowa’s offseason emphasis on takeaways is already paying off. The Hawkeyes had three vs. Illinois State.

For an Iowa defense that did just about everything excellently in 2023, the Hawkeyes actually weren’t very good in the takeaways department a season ago.

Iowa forced just 15 turnovers and ranked tied-97th nationally in turnovers gained. The Hawkeyes intercepted 10 passes and recovered five fumbles in 2023.

That was a departure for a program that led the nation in interceptions with 25 and ranked third nationally in takeaways during the 2021 season. The Hawkeyes ranked 19th in the country in turnovers gained in 2022 with 23 takeaways, including 15 interceptions.

The Hawkeyes made it a point to visit other teams and zero in on how they could create more turnovers. Iowa’s offseason emphasis looks like it is already paying off.

Graduate cornerback Jermari Harris perfectly read the eyes of Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and intercepted his first-quarter pass on the Redbirds’ second series.

Then, on Illinois State’s ensuing possession, graduate CASH Sebastian Castro ripped the football free from Redbirds running back Wenkers Wright. Junior cornerback TJ Hall quickly pounced on the football for Iowa’s second takeaway of the day.

Sophomore defensive lineman Caden Crawford recovered a fumble from Illinois State quarterback Beckham Pellant on the Redbirds’ final possession of the day for Iowa’s third takeaway.

After the Hawkeyes’ 40-0 shutout victory over Illinois State was secured and in the record books, acting head coach Seth Wallace discussed how

“Yeah, I think we’ve placed a greater emphasis defensively on turnovers. I’m not sure who it was I spoke with in the preseason. I think it might have been Mike. He had mentioned, in regards to our defense and Phil Parker’s defense and what we’ve done statistically, the one statistic that was pretty glaring was as good as we were last year defensively, we were awful when it came to takeaways. Awful.

“And so we’ve placed a greater emphasis on that. We’ve actually talked to other folks in college football, coaching staffs that have given us some ideas. So, we’ve tried to implement that stuff. Hopefully, what you saw today was an indicator of that. We actually had a takeaway taken away from us when Jay got called for holding. That could’ve been a momentum play, but to know that what it is that we’re emphasizing is showing up on tape and we get a chance to talk about that with our guys tomorrow, that’ll be a big deal,” Wallace said.

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker had mentioned that the Hawkeye staff visited with Virginia Tech during the offseason.

“We kind of spent some time going out and visiting some teams. We went to Virginia Tech, because they came to us a year ago. We went back there and we took a turnover thing before practice even starts just to kind of practice picking up a ball off the ground, matching hands, poking the ball out. I think it’s really showed some things, some dividends during the preseason here that it’s caused some things,” Parker said during fall camp.

If the opener versus Illinois State is any indication, the Iowa staff has the Hawkeyes on the right track in the turnovers department.

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Iowa football ‘not surprised’ by Reece Vander Zee’s sensational Hawkeye debut

Iowa might have found a special one in Reece Vander Zee.

The Iowa Hawkeyes might have something special in true freshman wide receiver Reece Vander Zee.

The 6-foot-4, 207 pound wide receiver out of Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa, put on a show in his Hawkeye debut. Vander Zee reeled in five grabs for 66 yards, including a pair of touchdown catches of 7 and 19 yards.

Vander Zee’s 7-yard touchdown reception saw the frosh slide down to secure the low throw from graduate quarterback Cade McNamara in the end zone. Then, Vander Zee went up and high-pointed the football among a crowd of players and over Illinois State defensive back Mark Cannon Jr.

Afterwards, acting head coach and assistant head football coach Seth Wallace said he and the Hawkeyes aren’t shocked by Vander Zee’s impressive debut.

“No, not surprised. Reece, probably for the first two weeks of camp was a freshman and he was in a freshman role. Then, I think our offensive guys started to see some things that he was doing that gave them the confidence that let’s put him in there and see how he swims with some of these other guys. So, they put him in there and there were plays that were made, plays very similar to the ones you saw today.

“Not surprised, however, it is college football at its highest level and when you introduce somebody of that type of youth, you just really aren’t sure what’s going to unfold. I think the story is even much better considering what happened in the first half, because we were still trying to get our feet on the ground from an offensive standpoint. He goes out there and makes some of those plays. The one where we were headed to the North side that he caught over the middle. Those were impactful plays. Not surprised at all. However, just to do it in a college football environment, I think that says a lot about Reece,” Wallace said.

Vander Zee was Iowa’s first true freshman to start since 2022 and the first true freshman wide receiver start a game for the Hawkeyes since Keagan Johnson and Arland Bruce IV did so in 2021.

The Rock Rapids product became the first Hawkeye true freshman with a receiving touchdown in the season opener since Dominique Douglas versus Montana in 2006. Vander Zee is the first Hawkeye freshman wideout to have two receiving touchdowns in a game since Ihmir Smith-Marsette did so at Iowa State in 2017.

Wallace discussed what has allowed Vander Zee to jump into the equation and be dynamic so quickly.

“Yeah, I think opportunity comes in a lot of different ways. I’d start with he’s on a charter bus and not a yellow bus, so that’s a big difference in kind of how he’s probably viewing things. We have had our share of injuries when it’s come to that position. Historically that happens during camp. Camp is, it’s grueling in a lot of ways and those that are putting a lot of miles on their tires.

“From the second that he jumped in there, he hasn’t looked like a 17- or 18-year-old. He hasn’t looked like he just came to us on a yellow bus. It’s been pretty obvious that he can go out there, he can compete. We’re fortunate that his frame, his size…it’s not like we’re looking at this two years down the road trying to build this body. Obviously, he needs a lot of work when it comes to his physical development, but there’s already some that has taken place. I credit that to the state of Iowa, to the football here in the state and the players that play in the state and he’s tough-minded, too. He certainly didn’t flinch today and we haven’t seen any flinching out of him up to this point,” Wallace said.

And on that catch in the South end zone?

“Going back to Reece’s catch that he had in the South end zone, some things happen. Some guys, that’s the way they are. Desmond King, Cooper DeJean. You talk about guys that you’ve seen around here before that they make plays. Sometimes you’re just sitting there wondering, like, how the hell did that happen? It’s football and those guys are…yeah, it’s nice to see,” Wallace said.

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What Kirk Ferentz’s one-game suspension means for Iowa football

Kirk Ferentz is suspended for Iowa’s season opener. This could lead to some intriguing things with the Hawkeyes.

Overnight the news broke that Kirk Ferentz, head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, is reportedly set to serve a one-game suspension. This suspension is reported to stem from recruiting violations committed when going after quarterback Cade McNamara.

The Hawkeyes open the season up on August 31 against the Illinois State Redbirds at home inside Kinnick Stadium. While an FCS program, the Redbirds are ranked in the FCS Coaches Poll at No. 20.

They are not going to roll over for Iowa. Although, the Hawkeyes may have a newfound fire to go play harder for Kirk Ferentz.

While the announcement of the suspension came rather close to Week 1 games, the Hawkeyes still have over a week to prepare for life without Kirk Ferentz. This could mean some intriguing things for the Iowa Hawkeyes now and the future.

The most intriguing aspect of this suspension is who assumes the managerial duties of being a head coach. Those include fourth-down decisions, clock management, timeout decisions, and how aggressive a team wants to be late in the half or at the end of games.

Phil Parker is Iowa’s defensive coordinator. He is set in stone there and has been for years. Assuming the entirety of the operation isn’t his thing. This is where the eyes turn to two potential future head coaches of Iowa and other FBS programs.

Those two are Seth Wallace, the assistant head coach who is also the assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and LeVar Woods, the special teams coordinator.

These two are much more likely to assume the duties of a head coach that extend outside of just playcalling and Xs and Os.

Seth Wallace was named the assistant head coach in 2024 and could be the most logical one in line to assume these duties. With Phil Parker more than capable of handling the defense, this could free up Wallace to lead the Hawkeyes in a head coaching manner.

LeVar Woods, arguably the best special teams coordinator in the country, has been a sneaky name among those set to become head coaches. He has the intangibles and commands his special teams unit at the highest level. He has the rapport and understanding of the game to take on these duties.

In reality, the decision-making likely lies somewhere in a collective agreement over the headphone communication that only the Hawkeyes’ staff knows. There is hope that most decisions do not have the game hanging in the balance and that Iowa can handle its business as expected against an FCS opponent.

But, should Iowa have crucial decisions to make in their season opener, Seth Wallace and LeVar Woods are two names to keep an eye on as things progress. This could be a small peak into what the potential future of Iowa Hawkeyes football looks like.

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Seth Wallace promoted to assistant head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes

Seth Wallace has been named Iowa’s assistant head coach. Wallace and Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker both saw significant pay raises.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have been expected to drop coaching news any day since the offseason began. Wednesday was that day.

No, there is not movement on the offensive coordinator search aside from Paul Chryst reportedly declining the role. The movement comes in the form of the Hawkeyes promoting linebackers coach and assistant defensive coordinator Seth Wallace to assistant head coach.

Wallace has been on the Iowa staff for the last eight years. He will retain his responsibilities as the assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. This move increases his salary 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. 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. – Seth Wallace

Wallace is the first assistant head coach during Kirk Ferentz’ tenure at Iowa. Ferentz had strong words to say about the move.

Seth is an excellent coach and has been an asset to our coaching staff for many years. 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. – Kirk Ferentz

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker received a big increase in his annual pay, too. Parker, the recipient of this season’s Broyles Award, had his pay boosted from $1.4 million annually to $1.9 million.

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A look at all of the Iowa Hawkeyes’ assistant coaches’ 2022 base salaries following raises

Iowa’s assistant football coaches saw salary raises across the board. What do their 2022 salaries now look like?

Salary figures obtained by USA TODAY Sports through an open-records request and reported on by The Register’s Chad Leistikow reveal that Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz got his wish.

As Hawk Central’s Kennington Lloyd Smith III touched on, one of Ferentz’s stipulations when he inked his new contract was to increase his assistant coaches’ salary pool to $7 million annually as a group.

Of course, Ferentz signed his new contract that extends him as the Hawkeyes’ head football coach through the 2029 season and that’s precisely what’s happened for his assistants. Collectively, Ferentz’s 10 on-field assistants and his strength coach combine for $6.95 million in annual salary.

Here’s a look at the big raises his assistant coaches saw across the board.

Iowa Hawkeyes snapshot profile: No. 44 Seth Benson

Seth Benson brings some serious production back to Iowa heading into 2022. He racked up 105 total tackles in 2021 for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker and assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Seth Wallace have to just be ecstatic to return what they do at the linebacker spots entering 2022.

One of the returning stars is redshirt senior linebacker Seth Benson. The 6-foot, 229 pound linebacker from Sioux Falls, S.D., may have been overshadowed at times by what his counterpart Jack Campbell accomplished in 2021, but his returning production and experience is vital for the Hawkeyes’ defense.

Benson racked up 105 total tackles, eight quarterback hurries, 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two sacks and one interception during the 2021 campaign. His interception was one of three that the Hawkeyes forced against Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy in Iowa’s 27-17 win over the Cyclones. That interception set up a Caleb Shudak field goal that staked the Hawkeyes to a two-score lead.

Benson’s career high in tackles came against Northwestern during the 2020 season when he tallied 13 stops. He had a pair of 10-tackle games last season with his most recent such effort coming against the Purdue Boilermakers on Oct. 16, 2021. Benson also had eight assisted tackles in the Hawkeyes’ come-from-behind win over Nebraska on Nov. 26.

His ability to rush the passer from the linebacker position was part of what helped Iowa finish as the No. 13 scoring defense, surrendering just 19.2 points per game in 2021. Benson finished with a pair of quarterback hurries in Iowa’s 23-20 win over Penn State last year and he had a pair of pass breakups in the Hawkeyes’ 33-23 victory over Illinois on Nov. 20, 2021.

Playing alongside the national leader in tackles from the 2021 season in fellow Iowa linebacker Campbell, Benson is primed to shine once more in 2022. Let’s take a look at his snapshot profile entering the 2022 season.

Preseason player profile

Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Ht: 6-0

Wt: 229

Class in 2022: Redshirt senior

247Sports composite ranking

2018 two-star / No. 100 inside linebacker / No. 2 player from South Dakota

Career stats

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2019 Iowa Big Ten FR LB 7 6 5 11 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 Iowa Big Ten SO LB 7 26 21 47 3.0 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2021 Iowa Big Ten JR LB 14 54 51 105 5.5 2.0 1 6 6.0 0 3 0 0
Career Iowa 86 77 163 8.5 4.0 1 6 6.0 0 3 0 0
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/10/2022.

Depth chart overview

Benson is another one of Iowa’s great developmental success stories. After arriving as an unheralded two-star signee in the 2018 class, Benson has now started in 21 consecutive games.

Benson is entrenched atop the defensive depth chart as Iowa’s starting weak side linebacker opposite Campbell. Make no mistake. His presence is a huge part of the reason many view Iowa’s linebackers as one of the nation’s best units in all of college football.

[vertical-gallery id=4426]

Full snapshot profile series

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ESPN selects Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jack Campbell to have biggest defensive presence in 2022

ESPN writer Tom VanHaaren chose Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell as his defensive player to have the biggest presence in 2022.

Iowa enters the spring slate off a 10-4 season that included a Big Ten West division championship. Hawkeyes defensive coordinator Phil Parker and assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Seth Wallace have reason to be excited about what Iowa returns defensively.

One of the biggest reasons for excitement is senior linebacker Jack Campbell. The 6-foot-5, 243 pound linebacker enjoyed a monster 2021 season. The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native racked up 143 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, six passes defensed, a pair of fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one sack.

It’s no surprise then that Campbell is receiving national attention. In ESPN’s college football roundtable, a panelists of writers were asked to pick which defensive player not named Will Anderson Jr. would have the biggest presence in 2022. ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren chose Campbell.

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell played in only five games of the 2020 season, but he had 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one interception in those games. He was healthy in 2021, and all he did was lead all FBS defenders with 143 tackles. He also had two interceptions and three tackles for loss last season.

He could have made the jump to the NFL, but decided to return for his senior season and is one of the unquestioned leaders on the Hawkeye defense. If we’re talking about presence, Campbell’s return to Iowa was a huge deal, and he has a chance to improve on an excellent season in 2022. – ESPN, VanHaaren.

Campbell’s return provides Iowa with defensive star power. Campbell is joined by another talented starting linebacker’s return. Senior Seth Benson is back as well after registering 105 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hurries, three passes defensed, two sacks and one interception.

Defensively, Iowa was one of the nation’s best a season ago. The Hawkeyes finished ranked No. 13 in scoring defense, surrendering just 19.2 points per game. That was thanks to a total defense that ranked No. 17 nationally and allowed just 328.8 yards per game.

Campbell and Benson helped anchor the country’s No. 13 rushing defense in 2021 as the Hawkeyes allowed just 3.15 yards per carry and 114.4 rushing yards per game. Iowa also led the nation with 25 interceptions and finished tied-third nationally with 30 total takeaways.

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