Iowa in the market for ‘director of recruiting’

IOWA CITY — It looks as if there will be some changes in Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz's recruiting department.

Nearly a month after Kelvin Bell was promoted from director of on-campus recruiting to recruiting coordinator/defensive assistant, the football program is actively seeking a 'director of recruiting.'

The school posted the full-time job late last week. The job description reads: 'Perform duties as Director of Recruiting supporting the Head Football Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, and Director of Player Personnel in all aspects of the recruiting process. Individual will be responsible for preparing and contributing to all on-campus recruiting functions and events.'

This job sounds as if it's a mix of Bell's old position and overarching recruiting duties. Bell took over recruiting coordinator duties in mid-February. He replaced Seth Wallace, who was promoted to linebackers coach in late January, replacing Jim Reid, who left to become defensive coordinator at Boston College.

Scott Southmayd is the director of player personnel. His duties include prospect identification, roster management, and on-campus recruiting. Max Allen, the director of new media, also has a hand in the production of recruiting. He works closely with the Iowa football staff regarding design and production of print and electronic recruiting materials.

In April 2014, Iowa was the lone Big Ten school without a formal player personnel director. Ferentz made a number of changes going into the 2014 season, including the hiring of what now would be considered a dedicated recruiting staff.

Some of the skills desired for director of recruiting include: Utilize video analysis system such as HUDL, DVSport and XO's. Utilize online recruiting database such as ACS, Recruiting Radar or JumpForward. And maintain productive and long term relationships with staff, prospects, and high school coaches.

No starting date is given. The salary ranges from $70,000 to $90,000.

'I think we're probably three or four weeks away from that,' Ferentz said last week when asked about Bell's replacement. 'We're in good shape there and feel good about it.'

In a February interview with Wallace, he talked about recruiting territories Iowa assistant coaches had for the 2016 class. They could be subject to change under Bell's guidance.

Running backs coach Chris White has ties on the east coast. Wide receiver coach Bobby Kennedy recruits Texas. Tight ends coach LeVar Woods handles St. Louis/Kansas City, Mo. Offensive line coach Brian Ferentz recruits Chicago. Defensive coordinator/secondary coach Phil Parker has been a successful recruiter in Detroit and upper-third of Ohio for several years. Same for defensive line coach Reese Morgan in Iowa and the plains (Nebraska and South Dakota). Wallace might check out Georgia this spring (he was defensive coordinator at Valdosta State before coming to Iowa) and will recruit Minnesota, Wisconsin and the northern third of Illinois.

Bell likely will spend some time in the Chicago area among other places.

'(I) just really feel good about our staff right now,' Ferentz said. 'I think there is a real good understanding about our culture and the value we place on character, on academic achievement and football development. I think everybody on the staff right now has a good feeling of that. For us to move forward, that's really important.'

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com