The Iowa Hawkeyes have made their choice for the next offensive coordinator, confirming Tim Lester as the man tasked with rejuvenating their offense. His arrival in Iowa City comes on the heels of a stint with the Green Bay Packers, where Lester honed the scout team offense to ensure the defense faced quality opposition in practice. Before his NFL experience, Lester was deeply embedded in the college football scene, most notably at Western Michigan University, his alma mater, where he served as head coach.
During his six-year tenure at Western Michigan, Lester’s teams claimed 37 victories and made appearances in three bowl games, winning one. From 2018 to 2020, while assuming play-calling duties, he was at the helm of an offense that consistently ranked in the top-35 nationally. This portfolio, however, does not account for the downturn in his final season there — a decline so severe it ended his tenure.
Left out of the narrative by the University of Iowa are Lester’s years at Syracuse, where he occupied the offensive coordinator position. Here, his record exhibits a noticeable disparity from his tenure at Western Michigan, with significantly less impressive offensive performances.
The hiring process was not without its alternatives, notably former Duke Offensive Coordinator Kevin Johns, who was under consideration late in the process. Johns, hired by Lester at Western Michigan in 2017, boasts an impressive track record, raising questions about whether Iowa chose the right candidate.
The skepticism surrounding Lester’s appointment is not unwarranted given the mixed results of his recent career. Furthermore, it begs the question of how much freedom Lester will have in executing his vision for Iowa’s offense. Head Coach Kirk Ferentz is known for his conservative approach, which could potentially restrict Lester’s play calling.
Will Lester’s installation at Iowa be a turning point for the Hawkeyes’ offense, or will his strategies be stifled? This decision doesn’t just hinge on Lester’s acumen but also on the latitude he’s given to implement his offensive schemes. Iowa’s fans, undoubtedly, will be watching closely, their hopes pinned on a revival of their team’s offensive fortunes.
