Iowa releases updated salaries for assistant coaches, a reflection of program’s identity

Iowa has released new salaries for its assistant coaches under Kirk Ferentz, and they reflect the program’s defensive and special teams prowess.

Despite the lackluster offense, Iowa has an 18-9 record the last 2 seasons.

The 2 coaches with the largest raises are LeVar Woods, the special teams coordinator, and Abdul Hodge, the tight ends coach, who each received a double-digit raise by percentage.

Defensive coordinator Phil Parker remains the only million-dollar assistant coach in state history and will earn $1.4 million plus bonuses for the upcoming season, an increase of $100,000 over his base pay last year.

The only assistant who suffered a pay cut was Brian Ferentz, the embattled offensive coordinator, as the move was confirmed after it was first reported earlier this offseason. The Iowa offense must average at least 25 points in 2023 and Iowa must win 7 games to earn a raise and two-year contract extension. If not, his contract is unlikely to be renewed.

Here are the salaries as released to Hawk Central:

• Phil Parker, defensive coordinator/defensive backs, $1.4 million (up from $1.3 million, a 7.7% increase)
• Brian Ferentz, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks, $850,000 (down from $900,000, a 5.6% decrease)
• Seth Wallace, assistant defensive coordinator/linebackers, $755,000 (up from $700,000, a 7.9% increase)
• Raimond Braithwaite, strength and conditioning, $725,000 (up from $675,000, a 7.4% increase)
• LeVar Woods, special teams coordinator, $700,000 (up from $625,000, a 12% increase)
• George Barnett, offensive line, $645,000 (up from $600,000, a 7.5% increase)
• Kelvin Bell, defensive line, $620,000 (up from $575,000, a 7.8% increase)
• Kelton Copeland, wide receivers, $495,000 (up from $460,000, a 7.6% increase)
• Jay Niemann, assistant defensive line/recruiting, $495,000 (up from $460,000, a 7.6% increase)
• Ladell Betts, running backs/recruiting, $410,000 (up from $380,000, a 7.9% increase)
• Abdul Hodge, tight ends, $325,000 (up from $275,000, a 15.4% increase)

Keith Farner

Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.