Following the departure of LeVar Woods and the transfer of punter Rhys Dakin, Iowa’s special teams will be reorganized. The first piece of what could be a major disruption to Iowa football’s special teams has fallen. LeVar Woods, a seasoned special teams coordinator, announced his departure from the Hawkeyes to become assistant head coach and special teams coordinator at Michigan State under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
An era in Iowa City comes to an end with Woods’ departure. Woods, a former Iowa football player, spent years developing some of the team’s top special teams players and was well-known for being both an excellent coach and a mentor to his players. In addition to his influence on the field, he was a superb recruiter who regularly brought in players who could have an instant impact. One rival coach recently remarked, “Iowa got a heck of a coach in Woods.” “It’s easy to understand why Michigan State just made a steal. He cultivates relationships, develops players, and has a thorough understanding of the game.
This past season, Iowa’s special teams continued to excel under Woods’ direction. Kicker Drew Stevens and return specialist Kaden Wetjen were two of the standouts that made their final seasons in Iowa City unforgettable. Wetjen scored four touchdowns—three on punts and one on a kick—and amassed 1,039 total return yards—563 on punts and 476 on kickoffs. The Hawkeyes greatly benefited from his ability to alter field position and generate scoring opportunities. Stevens, on the other hand, showed incredible consistency. He had a 78.6% completion rate after converting 22 of 28 field goals and 41 of 42 extra point attempts. Wetjen’s explosiveness and his dependability embodied Woods’ philosophy of developing every aspect of special teams and making each player as dependable and complete as possible.
However, the program may already be feeling the effects of Woods’ departure. Rhys Dakin, the starting punter, stated on social media that he intends to use the transfer portal as soon as it opens in a few hours. Originally signed by Woods, Dakin is an Australian punter who has spent the last two seasons acclimating to the rigors of American college football. Even though Dakin had some difficulties early in the season, Woods regularly stressed that his potential was still untapped. Midseason, Woods remarked, “We haven’t seen the best of Rhys yet.” “He has talent, but he’s still learning and developing. It just needs to be assembled.
Dakin punted 43 times for a total of 1,862 yards this past season, averaging 40.8 yards per punt. Even though those figures aren’t bad by most measures, they unavoidably brought to mind the legendary former Iowa punter Tory Taylor, who delighted fans with outstanding performances. Dakin’s play occasionally failed to live up to the high standards Iowa supporters had come to expect in that situation. Dakin is reportedly thinking about moving to Michigan State and possibly joining Woods’ staff now that he has two years of eligibility left. There is already a lot of conjecture, even though nothing is official. Dakin might find the setting he needs to work out his inconsistencies and realize his full potential if he starts over in a new program.
With Woods and possibly Dakin leaving, Iowa has a clear question: who will take over to keep the special teams momentum going? The program cannot afford to let the Hawkeyes’ long history of excellence in this area slip. According to some insiders, Iowa may already have internal candidates lined up, potentially promoting from within to maintain continuity. Others believe that in search of a new viewpoint, the coaching search may extend beyond the program.
Whatever strategy is used, one thing is for sure: Woods will continue to have an impact on Iowa football for many years to come. He was the mentor of players like Dakin, Wetjen, and Stevens. He fostered an atmosphere that allowed athletes to flourish on and off the field, and his capacity to guide young men went well beyond Xs and Os.
The period of transition may be bittersweet for fans. Although it’s difficult to watch a cherished coach leave, particularly to a Big Ten rival, it also shows how much respect Woods has throughout the conference. Additionally, change may present an opportunity rather than a setback for players such as Dakin. He may be able to reach the next level of his game with a new system, a familiar coach, and a new beginning.
The special teams unit will be the center of attention as Iowa prepares for the upcoming campaign. Can they maintain the level of excellence that Woods established even after he leaves? Will Dakin go to East Lansing with Woods or stay in Iowa? The Hawkeyes are about to embark on a new chapter in their legendary program, and one thing is certain: the first domino has fallen.
