Kirk Ferentz, Iowa promote Seth Wallace to assistant head coach among other staff changes

On Tuesday, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz named Seth Wallace assistant head coach. This is the first time an assistant head coach has been named under Ferentz.

“Seth is an excellent coach and has been an asset to our coaching staff for many years,” Ferentz said, per the school’s press release. “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.”

Before being named assistant head coach, Wallace was the team’s assistant defensive coordinator/linebackers coach. He will still serve in this role, as well. With the promotion, Wallace’s base salary is being increased from $755,000 to $1,000,000 annually.

“Being able to coach at the University of Iowa with such great players, coaches and staff members is really an honor,” Seth Wallace said. “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.”

An Iowa linebacker has led the Big Ten in total tackles each of the past three seasons. Wallace has mentored 11 linebackers to all-conference status and eight players have gone on to play in the National Football League.

Other coaching changes at Iowa

Wallace isn’t the only coaching change Ferentz announced on Tuesday. Ferentz also announced defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s contract is being amended to a base salary of $1,900,000 annually. Parker won the 2023 Broyles Award, an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football.

Under Parker’s guidance, Iowa only allowed opponents to average 274.8 yards per game this season, the fifth-least in the country. When teams did manage to pick up yards, they rarely converted.

The Hawkeyes gave up just 13.23 points per contest, ranking No. 4 nationally. Due to its astounding defense, Iowa reached the Big Ten Championship game for the second time in three years this past season.

Lastly, Ferentz announced Iowa did not renew Kelton Copeland’s contract as wide receivers coach.

“I appreciate Kelton’s contribution to the Hawkeye staff and wish him the very best,” Ferentz said.

Iowa only averaged 118.6 receiving yards per game, the fourth-least in the nation. Copeland was the wide receivers coach for the Hawkeyes for seven seasons. He isn’t the only face from Iowa’s offense that won’t be around next season.

Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz parted ways with Iowa at the end of the 2023 campaign. Iowa has not yet hired a new offensive coordinator, but an announcement is expected in the near future.