Pat Fitzgerald just made one of the most quietly impactful coaching moves of the college football offseason - and it didn’t come with the splashy headlines of some other hires. While Texas made waves by reuniting with Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, Fitzgerald’s move flew a bit more under the radar. But make no mistake: bringing LeVar Woods to East Lansing could be a game-changer for Michigan State.
Woods, a longtime Iowa assistant and one of the most respected special teams minds in the country, is joining Fitzgerald’s staff as special teams coordinator and assistant head coach. It’s a significant addition - not just because of Woods’ résumé, but because of what it says about Fitzgerald’s vision for building the Spartans.
To understand the weight of this hire, you have to understand LeVar Woods. He’s Iowa through and through.
A former Hawkeye linebacker under Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz, Woods spent eight seasons in the NFL before returning to Iowa City in 2008 to begin his coaching career. Over the next 15 years, he became a staple on the Hawkeyes’ sideline, gradually carving out a reputation as one of the top special teams coaches in the country.
Woods started working with special teams back in 2012 while coaching outside linebackers. He later shifted to tight ends but never stopped being involved with special teams. By 2017, he was Iowa’s full-time special teams coordinator - and that’s when things really took off.
Since Woods took full control of the unit, Iowa’s special teams have been elite, plain and simple. According to TruMedia’s EPA (Expected Points Added) data - which tracks team efficiency - Iowa’s special teams have been head and shoulders above the competition since 2016.
The only program even remotely close over that span is San Diego State. Everyone else?
They’re trying to catch up.
And this isn’t just about having a strong-legged kicker or a punter who can pin opponents deep. It’s about culture.
Woods built a unit where every detail matters - from coverage lanes on kickoffs to blocking schemes on punt returns. He treated special teams with the same level of detail and importance as offensive play-calling or defensive blitz packages.
That mindset paid off year after year for the Hawkeyes.
Now, Fitzgerald wants to bring that same edge to Michigan State. Giving Woods the assistant head coach title isn’t just a nod to his experience - it’s a clear signal that special teams will be a foundational pillar of the Spartans’ identity moving forward.
And while no one’s expecting Michigan State to suddenly become Iowa on special teams overnight, this hire is a step in that direction. It’s about chipping away at the gap and building something sustainable.
The numbers back up why this is such a big deal. During Fitzgerald’s last seven seasons at Northwestern, the Wildcats’ special teams EPA was 19.80 - ranking 57th nationally and seventh in the Big Ten.
Michigan State, over that same stretch, ranked 11th in the conference. Expand that out to the full TruMedia data range (2016-2025), and the Spartans sit at 14th in the Big Ten and 101st nationally.
That’s a long way from elite.
And here’s the thing: special teams success isn’t just about coaching - it’s also about personnel. You need athletes who can run, hit, and make plays in space.
Northwestern, for all of its strengths, had limitations when it came to recruiting due to academic standards. At Michigan State, Fitzgerald has access to a broader pool of talent.
That’s going to help across the board - offense, defense, and especially special teams.
So yes, this move might not make headlines like a splashy offensive coordinator hire or a big-name defensive guru. But if you know how football games are won - in the margins, in the third phase, in the hidden yards - then you know this is a big-time move.
Don’t be surprised if, in the not-so-distant future, fans in Spartan Stadium are getting fired up when the punt team trots out - not just because they’re hoping for a muffed snap from the opponent, but because Michigan State’s special teams are finally becoming a weapon.