Iowa recruits a former analyst from the Packers to serve as their new offensive coordinator.
Adam Rittenberg from ESPN announced on Sunday that the Iowa Hawkeyes Tim have appointed Lester, former senior analyst for the Green Bay Packers, as their next offensive coordinator. The vacancy for Iowa’s offensive coordinator position had been open for several months following the departure of Brian Ferentz, son of head coach Kirk Ferentz, due to subpar offensive performances and allegations of favoritism.
Given Lester’s connection to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, the issue of favoritism is sensitive here. Both were college quarterbacks at Western Michigan during the 1998 and 1999 seasons, raising questions about whether Lester’s advancement to the professional level last year was influenced by favoritism.
Prior to joining the Packers, Lester served as the offensive coordinator at Syracuse (2014-2015) and as head coach at his alma mater, Western Michigan (2017-2022). During his tenure at WMU, his team, following P.J. Fleck’s stint, achieved a 37-32 overall record and a 26-20 record in MAC play. Over six years, his Western Michigan squads participated in three bowl games, securing a victory in the 2021 Quick Lane Bowl over Nevada, coached by interim head coach Vai Taua after Jay Norvell’s departure for Colorado State.
Iowa fans have expressed frustration with the traditional style of the Hawkeyes’ offense under Ferentz. If Lester draws from his experience in Green Bay, it’s unlikely that this will change. The Packers have historically favored a condensed offense, particularly in terms of formation width. Additionally, following their playoff victory against the Dallas Cowboys, where the Packers operated from under center 63 percent of the time — the highest rate in any game during the 2023 season — it’s evident that they adhere to a specific offensive approach.
Those anticipating a significant shift to an Air Raid offensive style under Ferentz in 2024 may find themselves disappointed.
