It's been just under a month since LeVar Woods announced his departure, and we finally know who will succeed him.
The program will feel the weight of losing Woods not only on the football field, but off the field as well as he was an excellent recruiter.
He even managed to convince starting punter Rhys Dakin to join him at Michigan State.
Kirk Ferentz and the program wanted to move quickly to replace him, and in a little under a month, we know who will try to fill the big shoes Woods has left behind.
Chris Polizzi will step into the role of special teams coordinator
According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, the Hawkeyes have promoted Chris Polizzi from inside the program to take over as the new special teams coordinator.
Iowa is expected to name Chris Polizzi as its new special teams coordinator, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 15, 2026
Was on staff with the Hawkeyes this season as a defensive analyst. Was previously defensive coordinator at Tulsa and UT-Martin. pic.twitter.com/VOHFHBgWPH
Last season, Polizzi served as a defensive analyst for the Hawkeyes in his return to Iowa City after his time as a graduate assistant from 2012 through 2014.
Before returning to Iowa City, Polizzi served as the cornerbacks coach for Western Carolina (2015), an assistant coach for Tennessee Tech (2016-2017), an assistant coach for UT-Martin (2018-2022),and Tula's defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2023-2024).
As a defensive analyst for Iowa last season, Polizzi helped guide the defense to a top-20 ranking in rushing (No. 17 overall) and passing defense (No.10 overall).
The defense also ranked No. 9 overall in total defense, allowing 280.4 yards per game.
Promoting Polizzi was the right move because he has experience and familiarity with the system, and the Hawkeyes did not have to go far to bring him in.
Polizzi has his work cut out for him after the many years of success the Iowa special teams unit had under LeVar Woods.