So, when . . .

Iowa football goes into the sunset of offseason (recruiting and winter workouts, so it's not exactly a "sunset") with some weighty questions up in the air.

First, what's up at running back?

Freshman Jordan Canzeri led the Hawkeyes with 58 yards on 22 carries in the Insight Bowl. Gutty effort considering Canzeri weighed in at 172 pounds in Arizona and more than doubled his carries this season against a defense that ranked (arguably) among the top three Iowa faced in 2011.

Canzeri was in for junior Marcus Coker, who was suspended for the Insight because of an unspecified violation of the UI student-athlete Code of Conduct. A source close to the situation told the Gazette that Coker wants to return to Iowa. Iowa athletics director Gary Barta said the door is open for Coker to return. There is a reinstatement process that needs to be followed.

McCall has suspended since after the Nov. 19 game at Purdue for an unspecified violation of team rules. Last week, he posted a Facebook status that read, "Not going to Iowa anymore. Looking for a new school." This doesn't appear to be definitive. The status was deleted minutes later.

During the Insight Bowl pregame, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was asked by Iowa radio play-by-play announcer Gary Dolphin if Ferentz expected Coker and McCall to return, “I do. They're both separate situations and separate circumstances. Hope things work out positively in both cases."

Coker and McCall are registered for the spring semester, which begins Jan. 17. So, maybe next week for anything official. The beginning of the second semester isn't a drop-dead date, but it gives you an idea of timetable.

As for the two openings on Iowa's defensive staff, coordinator and D-line, that's a tougher one.

This statement from Ferentz, when asked if the national signing period (Feb. 1) would guide staff hirings, makes me think he's going to take his time: "To me, the paramount challenge was to get the right people in the right positions and that's really-- when I turn my attention to that, that will be the number one thought. If we lose Joey Smith to state U or wherever, that's the way it goes.

“These are big things. When you hire assistant coaches, I think it is as big of a thing you do as head coach. I think it's more important to get the right person if it costs us a recruit or two recruits, we will make up for that next year. Having the right people in place, replacing Norm Parker is not-- you don't just jump at that. I'm going to make sure-- try to make sure we have the right people in place.”

I'm not sure Ferentz will be shopping here, but the the American Football Coaches Association has its annual convention, starting Saturday and running through Jan. 11. More than 6,000 coaches are expected to attend.

Moves are made there, but speed dating doesn't seem to be Ferentz's style.

Names to watch include LeVar Woods (staff assistant, former Iowa and NFL LB, Iowa native, filled in at D-line coach for the bowl), William Inge (Buffalo D-coordinator, former Iowa DE), Ron Aiken (Cardinals D-line coach and former Iowa D-line coach) and Juan Castillo (Philadelphia Eagles D-coordinator).