The Iowa Hawkeyes are adding some serious experience and fresh perspective to their football program, announcing the hiring of four new staff members on February 6. It’s a move that signals more than just offseason housekeeping - it’s about building a deeper, smarter operation behind the scenes.
Leading the group is Jay Norvell, who returns to Iowa City as the senior football analyst for offense. Norvell is no stranger to the black and gold - he played for the Hawkeyes back in the 1980s before carving out a long coaching career that includes head coaching stops at Nevada and Colorado State.
His return brings a full-circle moment, but more importantly, it injects Iowa’s offensive brain trust with a wealth of experience and a fresh set of eyes. Norvell’s been around the block, and he’s seen offensive football evolve from multiple angles - that kind of perspective is invaluable in today’s game.
Joining him is Kevin Spencer, who’s stepping in as the special teams quality control coach. Spencer’s resume spans nearly five decades, and this isn’t his first rodeo with the Hawkeyes.
He previously served on staff in 2017-18 and again in 2020-21. He knows the culture, understands what Kirk Ferentz expects, and brings a steady hand to one of the most nuanced phases of the game.
Special teams can be a difference-maker in the Big Ten, and Spencer’s return gives Iowa a proven voice in that room.
On the offensive side, Kyle Hazell comes aboard as an offensive analyst. Hazell is a rising coach with recent stops at Toledo and Youngstown State, where he worked with quarterbacks and tight ends.
His background suggests a coach who’s been hands-on in developing young talent and crafting game plans at the college level. At Iowa, he'll be tasked with helping refine an offense that’s always looking for ways to evolve while staying true to its identity.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes are bringing in Mac McLeran as a defensive analyst. A North Liberty native, McLeran has spent the past four seasons at Southern Illinois, where he coordinated the run defense and coached linebackers.
That’s a critical role in Iowa’s system, where physicality and gap discipline are non-negotiable. McLeran’s familiarity with the region and his recent success at the FCS level make him a strong fit for a defense that prides itself on consistency and execution.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz made it clear that this isn’t just about adding bodies - it’s about sharpening every edge of the program.
“Hiring analysts to support our football program makes us better in every way,” Ferentz said. “Analysts allow our coaching staff to get a jump start on preparation and can offer a fresh perspective on trends and opportunities as we prepare for the season. I am pleased to add these four leaders to support our football program."
In a sport where preparation is everything and the margins are razor-thin, these hires give Iowa more depth in the film room, more voices in the game-planning process, and more experience to lean on as they gear up for the 2026 campaign. It’s not always the flashiest moves that make the biggest impact - sometimes, it’s the ones that happen behind closed doors in the middle of winter.