Wide receivers coach Kelton Copeland leaves Iowa football program

IOWA CITY — Iowa wide receivers coach Kelton Copeland will not return in 2024, according to a report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Friday evening.

Copeland had been on Iowa’s staff since 2017 after previously working as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois, South Dakota and Coffeyville Community College, among other schools.

Copeland is the second offensive assistant coach to leave the program after the 2023 season, following fired offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. Copeland and Brian Ferentz were the two longest-tenured offensive assistant coaches on staff.

The staff departures follow lackluster results on the offensive side of the ball in the last three seasons, with the Hawkeyes finishing no higher than 121st nationally in yards per game or yards per play since 2021.

No Iowa wide receiver has exceeded 35 receptions in a season since 2019 although Copeland also helped develop Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who in 2021 became the first Iowa wide receiver to be drafted in nine years.

Copeland was candid in 2022 about it being “a challenge recruiting receivers here.”

“I spent 40 minutes out of my (2021) Big Ten championship Wednesday evening talking to these parents about why their son’s not getting more opportunities, versus me trying to do everything I can to make sure we’re successful for the Big Ten championship game against Michigan,” Copeland said during the 2022 season.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com