![Iowa special teams coordinator Levar Woods speaks with media during an Iowa football press conference for the team’s coordinators at the Hansen Football Performance Center in Iowa City on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Woods took time to acknowledge long snapper Luke Elkin and other special teams players that don’t receive tons of attention. “Some things that are kind of hidden that people don't really notice, [Iowa punter Tory Taylor] is getting some really good snaps from Luke Elkin. Something that I think maybe as a younger coach I took for granted, the snapper position and how critical that is and how much it can help a punter. The Hawkeyes hosted the press conference because of the bye week.](https://dailyiowan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/101222_iowafbcoordinatorsconference_JR009-900x600.jpg)
Iowa football special teams coordinator LeVar Woods is leaving the program to become the associate head coach and special teams coordinator for Michigan State, head coach Kirk Ferentz announced during a press conference Thursday.
Woods will coach the Hawkeyes in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31 before departing. The 47-year-old Woods played for Iowa from 1998-2000 under head coaches Hayden Fry and Ferentz, and has been on staff since 2008.
“But there comes a time when I feel called to stretch and grow and try to pursue a different opportunity, expand professionally, take on a new challenge, and I feel like that time is now,” Woods said. “To Hawkeye Nation, to the players I’ve coached, to the people I’ve been fortunate to work alongside, I want to thank everybody.”
Woods was promoted to special teams coordinator in 2017, and commanded an Iowa special teams unit that is highly regarded as one of the best in the country. Four Hawkeye special teams players have earned first-team All-American honors since Woods was elevated to special teams coordinator, including Keith Duncan in 2019, punter Tory Taylor in 2022 and 2023, return specialist Kaden Wetjen in 2024 and 2025, and long snapper Luke Elkin in 2024.
“He’s done a great job, coached a lot of great players in his role at all positions but particularly the special teams,” Ferentz said. “You guys know better than I how well we’ve done statistically on special teams. I think you also understand just how important that’s been for 27 years in our thinking as a program, just the value of special teams.”
Ferentz said Thursday he’ll take his time in finding “the next LeVar Woods.” For now, Woods will enjoy his last few weeks with the Iowa football program.
“I’m really appreciative of the way he’s taken that role, what he did with it and growing it, and just did an absolutely fantastic job,” Ferentz said following the Woods news on Thursday. “Obviously, we’re all sad to see him leave, but I’m appreciative he’s going to coach through the bowl game.”