Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/251764
29 U niversity of Iowa linebacker coaches Jim Reid and LeVar Woods were named Linebackers Coaches of the Year by FootballScoop. Reid and Woods received their award during the Ameri- can Football Coaches Association Convention in January. Woods, a three-year letterman during his Hawkeye playing career, completed his second year coaching Iowa linebackers aer serving as an administrative assistant from 2008-11. Reid, a veteran of 35 years in the college and professional coaching ranks, has just completed his first season on the Hawkeye coaching staff. Iowa posted an 8-5 record in 2013, including a 5-3 mark in Big Ten play to place second in the Legends Division. Iowa recently competed in its seventh Janu- ary bowl game and 11th postseason game overall since 2001. "Jim and LeVar teamed to do an outstanding job coaching our linebackers this season," said UI head coach Kirk Ferentz. "Our three seniors, Christian Kirksey, James Morris and Anthony Hitchens, all played at a higher level than any time in their careers. All three did a great job of providing strong and posi- tive leadership, both for our defense and our entire football team. Jim and LeVar provided great assis- tance and guidance to the entire group." e defense played a key role in Iowa's turnaround from a 4-8 record in 2012. e Hawkeyes ranked sixth nationally in total defense, seventh in first downs allowed, ninth in passing defense and scoring defense, and 19th in rushing defense. Iowa allowed just eight rushing touchdowns in 13 games. Iowa's three senior linebackers, Hitchens, Morris and Kirksey, played a key role for the Hawkeyes. e trio ranked first, second and third, respectively, in tackles, while Morris led the team in tackles for loss (18), sacks (eight) and interceptions (four). ey also combined for 10 turnovers (six interceptions and four recovered fumbles). Reid, Woods Share Coaching Honor By Steve Roe Iowa accomplished the rare feat of having three line- backers post 100-tackle seasons and rank among college football's top 70 tacklers. Hitchens led the way with 112 stops (36th nationally), Morris recorded 106 tackles (58th), and Kirksey had 104 tackles (68th). e four interceptions by Morris ranked fourth most among FBS linebackers. He ranked among the top 60 nationally with eight sacks and was 20th with his 18 tackles for loss. Morris and Hitchens were each named second-team All-Big Ten, while Morris also earned first-team Capital One Academic All-America recog- nition. "Both coach Woods and coach Reid have been in- strumental in my development as a football player, a student and a young man," said Morris. "Both men work hard to create environment of communication, constructive coaching and self-motivation. If it weren't for these two men, we would not have been as success- ful as a team in 2013; for that I am grateful." "Both coaches did a tremendous job with the line- backer core as a group," said Kirksey. "ey taught us how to hold one another accountable and play with tremendous effort every step of the way. ey are great teachers and leaders who understood what it took to be great. It was the way they treated us on and off the field that made each player play to their full potential. ey are great coaches, but most of all great people." Reid completed his first year on the Iowa staff. He previously served as head coach at Massachusetts and Richmond, and has coached at Boston College, Syracuse, Bucknell, VMI, Virginia and the Miami Dolphins. Woods played seven seasons in the National Football League before beginning his coaching career with the Hawkeyes. e Iowa coaching duo earned the FootballScoop award over semifinal candidates from Stanford, Alabama and Louisville. ey were selected from nominations by coaches, athletic directors and ath- letic department personnel. Previous winners of the Linebackers Coach of the Year award have included assistant coaches from Boston College (2008), Rutgers (2009), Ohio State (2010), Wisconsin (2011) and Boise State (2012).