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IOWA CITY — Iowa football has officially announced Jay Norvell as its new running backs coach.
Norvell was recently hired as a senior anaylst, but got promoted following the departure of now-former running backs coach Omar Young.
Norvell, who played at Iowa, previously served as the head football coach for Colorado State and Nevada. He also spent time on the staffs at Arizona State, Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA, Iowa State, UNI, Nebraska, as well as in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders and Indianapolis Colts.
“Jay has extensive experience as both a head coach and a position coach in college and professional football,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in a release. “His perspective is a great addition to our coaching staff and will be beneficial for our running backs and our entire offense.”
Mike Grant has been hired as the team’s senior analyst (offense).
Grant has coached at the collegiate level for more than 30 years, most recently as running backs coach for FCS national runners-up Illinois State last season. Prior to that, he spent nine seasons on Wyoming’s coaching staff, including serving as associate head coach from 2022-24.
Brian Smith has rejoined the program as a defensive analyst.
Smith will work with assistant head coach and assistant defensive coordinator Seth Wallace. Smith was a defensive graduate assistant with the Hawkeyes in 2024 and served as an analyst in 2025. Previously, Smith served in defensive player personnel roles with Central Missouri, Wayne State College and the Kansas City Chiefs.
“In this era of college football, analysts play a pivotal role in preparing our coaches and our team for the next challenge,” Ferentz said. “I am happy to have Mike Grant join us as a senior analyst, and Brian Smith rejoin our program in an analyst role."
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa football announces new running backs coach, other staff hirings
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Norvell was recently hired as a senior anaylst, but got promoted following the departure of now-former running backs coach Omar Young.
Norvell, who played at Iowa, previously served as the head football coach for Colorado State and Nevada. He also spent time on the staffs at Arizona State, Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA, Iowa State, UNI, Nebraska, as well as in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders and Indianapolis Colts.
“Jay has extensive experience as both a head coach and a position coach in college and professional football,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in a release. “His perspective is a great addition to our coaching staff and will be beneficial for our running backs and our entire offense.”
Mike Grant has been hired as the team’s senior analyst (offense).
Grant has coached at the collegiate level for more than 30 years, most recently as running backs coach for FCS national runners-up Illinois State last season. Prior to that, he spent nine seasons on Wyoming’s coaching staff, including serving as associate head coach from 2022-24.
Brian Smith has rejoined the program as a defensive analyst.
Smith will work with assistant head coach and assistant defensive coordinator Seth Wallace. Smith was a defensive graduate assistant with the Hawkeyes in 2024 and served as an analyst in 2025. Previously, Smith served in defensive player personnel roles with Central Missouri, Wayne State College and the Kansas City Chiefs.
“In this era of college football, analysts play a pivotal role in preparing our coaches and our team for the next challenge,” Ferentz said. “I am happy to have Mike Grant join us as a senior analyst, and Brian Smith rejoin our program in an analyst role."
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa football announces new running backs coach, other staff hirings
Continue reading...
