Hawkeye fans' reactions to LeVar Woods leaving shines a light on his massive impact

A few weeks before No. 23 Iowa battles No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl on NYE, the program got some disappointing news.

Kirk Ferentz announced that long-time coach and special teams coordinator LeVar Woods is headed to Michigan State to join new head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Woods' decision to leave Iowa City in favor of East Lansing comes on the heels of return specialist Kaden Wetjen earning consensus All-American status, and his departure is a massive loss for the program.

While it seems like a lateral move to most casual observers, it allows Woods to rebuild the Spartans' special teams unit from the ground up and gives him a chance to prove himself as an assistant head coach.

After it was announced that Woods was officially leaving the program, Hawkeye fans were stunned to say the least.

This Iowa fan stated what everyone is thinking, saying that we all hope LeVar has a great future, but it sucks that the program must now replace such a great coach.

As a rising star and one of the best special teams coordinators in college football, Woods' departure for a new job was not entirely unexpected, but going to another Big Ten school was a shock.

After coaching some of the best special teams players in Iowa program history, LeVar will definitely be missed.

Oof, indeed. Losing Woods is a big blow by itself, but also losing him to a conference foe makes it worse.

Most Iowa fans share a similar sentiment following the gut-wrenching news of Woods' departure.

It is also sad to see a coach go, but it makes it so much worse when the coach is an alum, a long-time coach, and a great ambassador for the program.

LeVar Woods' impact can be felt throughout the program and the community, and he will be greatly missed.