University of Iowa Football

University of Iowa football coordinators Phil Parker, Tim Lester and Chris Polizzi visited with the media Wednesday to discuss spring practice.

University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz visited with the media Tuesday to talk about the beginning of spring practice.

Cedric Nah is in his second year a strength and conditioning specialist at the University of Iowa. He previously served as an athletic performance graduate assistant at Illinois State University in 2024. In his first year on the Hawkeye staff, Iowa won nine games, including capturing the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl with a 34-27 victory over No. 14 Vanderbilt, earned a final AP Poll ranking of No. 17 and helped develop two consensus All-Americans and national positional award recipients (Logan Jones and Kaden Wetjen). Iowa’s offensive line also garnered recognition as the best in the country with the Joe Moore Award in 2025. Prior to his stint at Illinois State, Nah was the manager of refuel and analytics with the Hawkeye football program and a student strength and conditioning intern with Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, native amassed 70 tackles, including eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections as a three-year starter on the defensive line and two-time captain on Coe College’s football team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with concentration in strength and conditioning/health and wellness from Coe College in 2021, and is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

DREW HEITLAND TITLE Assistant Director, Football Athletic Performance PHONE 319-335-8943 EMAIL drew-heitland@hawkeyesports.com

JASON MANSON TITLE Senior Football Analyst/Assistant Offensive Coach PHONE 319-335-8943 EMAIL jason-manson@hawkeyefootball.com

Mac McLeran is in his first year with the University of Iowa football program. He is an analyst assisting with the Hawkeye defense. McLeran joined the Iowa staff after serving as the defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach at Southern Illinois University for four seasons (2022-25). During his tenure, he guided the development of All-American linebacker Ben Bogle, as well as two-time all-conference linebacker Branson Combs, plus MVFC All-Newcomer linebackers Chris Harris and Colin Bohanek. In 2024, Bogle became the first Saluki linebacker to earn All-America status since 2009. He led the league in tackles for loss (16.5) and added 87 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. Bogle was a finalist for the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the FCS. He finished 20th in the voting. In 2023, McLeran’s linebacker corps was instrumental in helping the Salukis achieve a top 10 ranking in the FCS in numerous statistical categories -- scoring defense (4th/16.2 points per game), total defense (4th/282.3 yards per game), sacks (6th/3.00 sacks per game), rushing defense (5th/94.2 yards per game), pass efficiency defense (7th/111.73), turnovers gained (7th/25 turnovers) and fourth down defense (8th/0.333 conversion rate). During McLeran's tenure at SIU, the Salukis advanced to the Sweet 16 of the FCS Playoffs in 2023 and posted marquee wins over Big Ten Northwestern (2022) and Northern Illinois (2023). Before joining the Salukis staff, Mc

Jay Norvell transitions to running backs coach, Mike Grant has been hired as the team’s senior analyst (offense), while Brian Smith rejoins the program as a defensive analyst.

PHIL PARKER TITLE Defensive Coordinator/Secondary PHONE 319-335-8943 EMAIL phil-parker@hawkeyefootball.com X OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW

Sam Brincks was named the Klein Family Director of Player Development for the Iowa football program in July 2025. He worked as an assistant director of player development the previous four years, before being appointed interim director prior to the 2020 season. Brincks assisted Iowa’s recruiting staff in 2019. The director of player development serves as a guide for student-athletes as they transition from high school to college, supporting their academic and football successes while creating a positive and memorable college experience. Brincks was a four-year letterman for the Hawkeyes during his playing career (2015-18). Iowa won 27 combined contests the last three seasons, including capturing the Big Ten West Division in 2023 and winning the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl with a 34-27 triumph over No. 14 Vanderbilt. Iowa has been ranked in the final AP Top 25 six of the last eight seasons, including ranking No. 17 in 2025. The Hawkeyes have had at least one consensus All-American each of the last five seasons, including multiple honorees the last three years, and six national individual positional award recipients (Rimington, twice; Jet, twice; Ray Guy and Butkus). Iowa’s offensive line also garnered recognition as the best in the country with the Joe Moore Award in 2025. Iowa’s streak of 13 straight bowl invitations is the longest in school history and its streak of 13 straight winning seasons ranks fifth best among power conferences. The Hawkeyes have earned 37 conference victorie

By HANNAH OSSMAN IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Shane Viilo is in his first season as a University of Iowa football graduate assistant with the linebackers, but has been with the Hawkeyes as a student assistant for the past three years.