Feb. 7, 2012
- 2012 Iowa National Signing Day Central
- 2011 Game Day Central
- America Needs Farmers
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- gohawks.com
- Iowa Football Wallpaper
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa running backs coach Lester Erb has been recognized by Rivals.com as one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation. The honor is the second for Erb, who was also recognized by Rivals.com in 2005. Erb also works with the Iowa special teams.
Erb is the third member of head coach Kirk Ferentz’ staff to be honored for his efforts on the recruiting trail. Linebacker coach Darrell Wilson, who teams with Erb to coach Iowa’s special teams, earned recognition as one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation a year ago.
Eric Johnson, tight ends and recruiting coordinator, was tabbed by Rivals.com as one of the Top 10 Recruiters in the Big Ten Conference in 2007 and was recognized by Tom Lemming in 2001 as one of the top 10 recruiting coordinators in the nation.
In addition, Phil Parker, Iowa’s defensive backs coach for the past 13 seasons, was named by Rivals.com last March as a first team member of its College Football Assistant Coach Dream Team.
Norm Parker, Iowa’s defensive coordinator the last 13 seasons, was named 2011 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Football Coaches Association of America. He was also a finalist for the 2004 and 2005 Frank Broyles Award, which also recognizes the top Division I assistant coach in the nation. Parker retired following the 2011 season.
“Each member of our coaching staff is involved with all aspects of our recruiting efforts,” said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. “Our staff does a great job in recruiting quality individuals to be a part of our program. It is a collective effort on their part, and just as important, they do a great job in development once the student-athletes are on our campus.”
Iowa has been bowl eligible the past 11 seasons and has participated in 10 bowl games since 2001. The Hawkeyes won bowl games following the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons, defeating ranked opponents in both 2009 and 2010. The Hawkeyes have ranked in the final top 10 of both major polls four times in the past 10 seasons.
Iowa has appeared in six January bowl games since 2001. The Hawkeyes have won six-of-10 bowl games under Kirk Ferentz and his staff, including four January bowl victories. The January Bowl wins have come over Florida (2004 Outback), LSU (2005 Capital One), South Carolina (2009 Outback) and Georgia Tech (2010 Orange).