Former University of Iowa quarterback Jason Manson was named Klein Family Director of Player Development for the Iowa football program in May, 2021.
The director of player development serves as a guide for student-athletes as they transition from high school to college, supporting their academic and football successes while creating a positive and memorable college experience.
Iowa posted an 8-5 record in 2022, concluding the season with a 21-0 win over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl and wins in five of its final six games. Iowa’s streak of 10 straight bowl invitations is the longest in school history and the Hawkeyes have been in the Top 25 final rankings in four of the last five seasons. Iowa’s streak of 10 straight winning seasons ranks 10th best in the nation.
The Hawkeyes won 10 games in 2021, winning the Big Ten’s West Division title and advancing to the conference championship game. Iowa concluded the season with an appearance in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl and was ranked 23rd in the final national rankings.
Iowa opened the 2021 season with six straight wins and closed the regular season with four straight victories to earn the West Division title and a berth in the league championship game for the second time since 2015. Iowa has been in the final national rankings in each of the past four seasons and has earned 19 conference wins in the past three seasons, Iowa’s highest three-year conference win total since 2002-04.
Manson has been involved in high school administration and coaching since the end of his Hawkeye playing career. He held the position of assistant Dean of Students and head football coach at St. Thomas More School for two years (2019-21). In 2018-19, he served as student management assistant at Greater Hartford (Conn.) Academy of the Arts and head football coach at Capital Prep.
Manson, a native of Bloomfield, Connecticut, was the head football coach at Capital Preparatory Magnet School from 2014-18, while also serving as director of college and career readiness. He also served as a position coach at Central Connecticut State University from 2010-14, instructor and offensive coordinator at Milford Academy in 2008-09, wide receivers coach at Becker College in 2007 and Western Connecticut State.
As a player at Iowa, Manson lettered in 2005 and 2006, playing both quarterback and wide receiver. His career totals include completing 42-of-85 pass attempts for 442 yards and one touchdown. He had 22 career rushing attempts for 93 yards and three pass receptions for 22 yards. Manson led Iowa to a double-overtime win at Syracuse in 2006 in his only start at quarterback.
Manson joined the Iowa program in 2002, as the Hawkeyes posted an 11-2 record and shared the Big Ten title. Iowa posted a 10-3 mark in 2003 and were 10-2 in 2004. The Hawkeyes defeated Florida in the Outback Bowl following the 2003 season and closed the 2004 campaign with the last-second win over LSU in the Capital One Bowl. Iowa earned bowl invitations in each of his five seasons as a player.
Manson earned his bachelor’s degree in communication studies in December, 2006. He was a member of the team Leadership Council for four years and was Iowa’s recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2006. Manson was a three-year member of the Iowa Student Athlete Advisory Committee (ISAAC) and was awarded the Student Leadership Award by the UI Athletics Department as a senior.
Manson was born Nov. 16, 1984. Jason and his wife, Tamika, have three children, Julian, Jace, and Jaxon.