IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz announced on Tuesday a couple coaching changes.

Seth Wallace has been named Assistant Head Coach for the Hawkeye football program. This is the first time an assistant head coach has been named under Ferentz.

“Seth is an excellent coach and has been an asset to our coaching staff for many years,” said Ferentz. “He works tirelessly to develop our players into outstanding men on and off the field. I am grateful that he is a part of our program.”

In addition to his role as Assistant Head Football coach, Wallace will continue his responsibilities as Assistant Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach for the Hawkeye football program. Wallace’s base salary is being increased from $755,000 to $1,000,000 annually.

“Being able to coach at the University of Iowa with such great players, coaches and staff members is really an honor,” said Wallace. “The University of Iowa and this football program are both very special to me. I am appreciative of this new, expanded role and look forward to preparing our athletes for the upcoming season and beyond.”

Under Wallace’s leadership, Iowa’s linebacking corps has consistently been one of the nation’s best. Over the past eight years, Wallace has coached five linebackers who have garnered All-America recognition, including unanimous consensus selections Josey Jewell (2017) and Jack Campbell (2022). Most recently, Jay Higgins was honored as a first-team All-American in 2023. An Iowa linebacker has led the Big Ten in total tackles each of the past three seasons. Wallace has mentored 11 linebackers to all-conference status and eight players have gone on to play in the National Football League.

Ferentz also made the following announcements:

Phil Parker’s contract as defensive coordinator is being amended to a base salary of $1,900,000 annually. This past season Parker was the recipient of the Broyles Award, awarded to the top assistant coach in college football, and the American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

Parker’s defenses consistently rank among the best in the country. The Hawkeyes ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense (14.8) and passing efficiency defense (102.1), fifth in passing yards per game (170.7), and seventh in total defense (282.5) in 2023. Iowa allowed one touchdown or less in 10 games in 2023 and in 19 of the last 28 games. Iowa’s defense has yielded 400 yards or fewer in 28 straight games dating back to the 2021 season — the longest active streak nationally.

Kelton Copeland’s contract as wide receivers coach has not been renewed. “I appreciate Kelton’s contribution to the Hawkeye staff and wish him the very best,” Ferentz said.

The search for an offensive coordinator is ongoing and an announcement is expected in the near future.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa All-American Jerry Hilgenberg has passed away at the age of 92. Hilgenberg was the last surviving assistant coach from Iowa’s historic 1958 Big Ten, Rose Bowl and national championship team. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Hilgenberg started at center for three seasons for the Hawkeyes (1951-53). He was a first-team All-American and All-Big Ten honoree his senior season. Hilgenberg, and guard Cal Jones, were Hall of Fame Coach Forest Evashevski’s first All-Americans.

Hilgenberg led the Hawkeyes to a final national ranking of No. 9 in 1953, the program highest final ranking since 1939. He also excelled in the classroom earning Academic All-District and All-Big Ten accolades as a senior. Hilgenberg was invited to play in two post-season all-star games after his senior campaign, the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl.

“Jerry Hilgenberg was a first-class individual,” said University of Iowa Moon Family Head Coach Kirk Ferentz. “I got to know him during the 1980’s as a successful businessman and father to four incredible children, including two that I was lucky enough to coach. He was a friend and supporter of our program for decades. Mary and I send our condolences to the whole Hilgenberg family. He will be greatly missed.”

A native of Wilton, Iowa, Hilgenberg also lettered in baseball in 1952 and 1953, serving as a co-captain his senior season.

Hilgenberg was drafted in the fourth round of the 1954 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns but did not play professionally as he was also drafted by the U.S. Air Force.

When he returned from service, he was hired as a Hawkeye assistant football coach for eight seasons (1956-63). During his coaching tenure, the Hawkeyes were recognized as national champions (1958), won three conference titles (1956, 1958, 1960) and two Rose Bowls (1957, 1959). While on staff, Hilgenberg was able to coach his younger brother Wally, who was an all-conference performer and ultimately played in four Super Bowls with the Minnesota Vikings.

“I had the pleasure to have Jerry as a mentor, partner and good friend for 50 years,” said former Hawkeye quarterback Mike Cilek (1967-69). “As a partner in the real estate business, he was wonderful to work with and he taught you to do business the right way. Jerry taught us all what he and I learned from athletics that can be carried on for an entire lifetime. He made our work together fun by working hard but enjoying every day.”

Hilgenberg was inducted into the Iowa Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also voted on various all-time Hawkeye teams, including Iowa’s All-Century Team in 1989.

The Hilgenberg family totaled 19 letters spanning five decades (1951 – 1995): Jerry (3), Wally (3), Jim (3), Jay (4), Joel (4) and Eric (2).

The Atlantic Boys Basketball team had a close loss with a packed house apart of Trojan spirit day losing 77-74 to Red Oak on Tuesday afternoon.

It was a closely contested game throughout the entire afternoon for the Trojans and they found themselves up by one at the end of the first quarter and then by two points by half.  Atlantic tried to pull a way for a bit in the third with a 6-0 run and had a 7-point lead on the Tigers. Towards the end of the third, Red Oak decided to push a 5-0 run of their own to tie it at 52 a piece.  The Tigers figured out how to push through the Atlantic zone and got it done at the free throw line as well, hitting 20 of 25 to help push them to the win.

Atlantic Head Coach Dalton Franken noted that the Trojans defense needs to improve if they want to win.

Hunter Gilleland had a big game for Red Oak with 30 points.  Max Devries added 25 points for the Tigers. With the win Red Oak improves their record to 4-7 and will travel to Shenandoah on Thursday.

Atlantic was led in the loss by Senior Colton Rasmussen with 41 points.  Gavin McLaren added 14 points and Nolan Water chipped in 10.  Even with the loss, Coach Franken did note that the environment was fun for the team to play in.

The Trojans drop to 3-9 and will face off against Harlan Thursday night at home, with tip off set for 7:30 p.m.

The Atlantic Girls Basketball team had their largest margin of victory all year against Red Oak winning 63-13 at home on Tuesday afternoon.  The Tigers suffered from poor shooting on the night and couldn’t keep pace with an Atlantic team that only allowed one point in the entire first quarter leading 23-1 by the end of the first.  The Trojans took advantage of a scoring drought for the Tigers in the second quarter and grabbed a 37-point halftime lead.  Atlantic kept their foot on the gas petal in the second half to lead by 46 to start the fourth quarter and finished the night with a 50-point win.

Atlantic was led by Paytn Harter with 23 points and Maddie Richter with 6.  Red Oak got 5 points from Emily Sebeniecher in the loss. Atlantic Head Coach Dan Vargason thought his team’s focus on defense showed throughout the game.

The Trojans improve to 5-9 and will be back at home Thursday, January 18th against Harlan with tipoff set for 6:00 p.m. Red Oak now sits at 2-10 and travel to Shenandoah on Thursday.

The Exira-EHK boys basketball team had an impressive win Tuesday night at home against Glidden-Ralston winning 59-33. The game started with a 10-3 Exira- EHK run, and the Spartans never looked back with a tight 18-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.  Senior Cash Emgarten ignited the Spartans offense in the second quarter with two triples for 13 points in the second quarter to start a 13-1 run and the Spartans pushed their lead to 12 at the half 39-24.  Glidden-Ralston looked to find their way back into the game in the second half, but only managed to hit one three pointer in the second half, compared to the five they made in the first.  Exira-EHK splashed down a few three-pointers in the third quarter to solidify the lead to 24 at the end of the third. The Spartans offense turned a little stale in the fourth quarter only scoring six points, but the Wildcats didn’t have an answer of their own only scoring 4 in the quarter. The Spartans won it 59-33.

Exira-EHK Head Coach Tony Santistaben credits his team with doing the little things correctly to get the win.

Cash Emgarten finished with 24 points to lead the Spartans, who improve to 9-3 on the season.  Next up the Spartans host Ar-We-Va on Friday and it’s a matchup coach Santistaben is taking seriously.

Glidden-Ralston was led in the loss by Jonathan Bergmeier with 16 points.  The Bulldogs are now 5-6 and will travel to Paton-Churdan on Thursday.

The Exira-EHK Spartans girls basketball team had a strong win on Tuesday evening over the Glidden-Ralston Wildcats 65-17. The Spartans came out of the gate poised for a win leading 13-0 at the end of the first. Throughout the second quarter Exira-EHK continued to land shots and saw their lead grow up to 30 at half. In the second half Exira-EHK kept up their stifling defense and Glidden-Ralston had no answer only scoring 10 points in the final two quarters. Taryn Petersen played sharp leading the Spartans in scoring with 21. Jaelyn Petersen also had a big game with 17 points.

Glidden-Ralston was led in the loss by 6 points from Kassidy Wenck. Tiela Janssen finished with 5 points for the Wildcats as their record drops to 4-7.

The Spartans improve to 9-3 and head to Treynor on Thursday to face the Cardinals with a tipoff set for 6:00 p.m.

The UNI men return to Missouri Valley action on Wednesday night with a visit to Belmont. The Panthers are 3-3 in the Valley and lost to Belmont at home 90-70 back in late November.

That’s UNI coach Ben Jacobson who says the Bruins have been tough to guard.

Belmont is 4-2 in conference play.

Drake takes a 5-1 Missouri Valley record on the road to Illinois State Wednesday night. The Bulldogs beat the Redbirds 88-71 in Des Moines two weeks ago.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries who feels the Bulldogs are making strides on defense.

DeVries says defense is the key to winning on the road and Saturday’s 18-point win at Southern Illinois was an example.

Illinois State is 2-4 in the Valley.

The Iowa Hawkeye women take a 6-0 Big Ten record into tonight’s (Tuesday night’s) game at home against Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes are 17-1 overall and up to number two in this week’s AP Poll.

That’s Iowa coach Lisa Bluder. Senior guard Caitlin Clark believes experience is a major reason they have been so consistent.