Jay Higgins describes Phil Parker as a defensive coordinator

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker is widely considered one of the best coordinators in college football, marshaling units that consistently finish toward the top of the pack nationally.

So how does he get it done? In part by saving his intensity for the days and hours before the games, as linebacker Jay Higgins explained to On3’s Andy Staples at Big Ten Media Days.

“Right now, what are we, 37 days out? We’re pretty close,” Higgins said of Parker. “Right now he’s calm. He’s calm. He’s coaching, he’s telling the corners to funnel some of those post guys up the seam. But the moment we put those pads on, the moment we start getting real deal, he’ll turn up. He’ll definitely turn up.”

That phenomenon isn’t just reserved for Parker, either.

Assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Seth Wallace goes from easy-going position coach to maniacally focused in the lead up of the game.

“They’re all different human beings,” Higgins said. “Coach Wallace, it’s like, ‘This guy’s so nice to me right now.’ Everybody’s friends, everybody’s patting you on the back right now. The day before that game, the night before, something clicks. And everybody gets serious, everybody gets focused.”

There is one saving grace, though, that Wallace provides.

“One thing I do appreciate of Wallace is he’s going to coach us hard during the week but on Saturday, he’s really nice to us,” Higgins said. “And he understands that in the game, I probably don’t need to be yelled at. It’s probably too late. If you’re yelling at me during the game, we’ve messed up. And that’s something I really appreciate.” 

Kirk Ferentz was pleased to have Higgins, others returning in 2024

Kirk Ferentz was in the holiday spirit in July. At Big Ten Media Days, the Iowa head coach gave credit to a surprising figure for the program’s excellent offseason.

“I do believe in Santa Claus and getting those guys back was part of that. That was a merry Christmas for all of us,” Ferentz said. “We tried to be real fairly cautious and just diligent with our work and all that.

“Nick [Jackson], to me, represents like the perfect transfer guy. We’ve had a couple of those guys. Rusty Feth was the same way on the offensive side. Guys that really fit what we needed.”

Nick Jackson is far from the only standout returning to Iowa for the 2024 campaign. The Hawkeyes return 69% of their production from last and a whopping 80% of its offensive production, per ESPN.

Iowa’s offensive returners are highlighted by quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Luke Lachey. On defense, the Hawkeyes will return not only Jackson, but also Higgins. To pile on, Iowa retained most of its starters in the secondary over the offseason.

Iowa only lost 11 players in the transfer portal this offseason, a relatively small loss in the modern age of college football. To nurse its wounds, the program added four players via the portal. Ferentz couldn’t be happier about so many of his Hawkeyes deciding to run it back.

“I’m elated all those guys are back,” Ferentz said. “Not to compliment our team, but I think it just speaks volumes all those guys want to come back. And then secondly, they’re the kind of guys you want back because they’re guys that should be at the front of the room and younger guys will benefit if they pay attention.”