Feb. 4, 2013
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has named DJ Hernandez as a graduate assistant on the Hawkeye coaching staff, where he will coach the tight end position. In addition, Ferentz announced that Erik Campbell and David Raih are no longer on the Iowa staff.
“DJ has joined our staff as a graduate assistant, replacing David Raih,” said Ferentz. “DJ comes highly recommended and will work with our tight ends.”
Raih, a former Hawkeye player, has served as a graduate assistant coach for the past three seasons. Campbell has coached Iowa wide receivers for the past five seasons.
“David has accepted a position at Texas Tech,” said Ferentz. “David did a tremendous job for us and will be a great asset to the Texas Tech program. Eric has left the staff to pursue other opportunities. I am appreciative of his many contributions to our program and wish him the best in the future.”
Hernandez joins the Iowa program after serving as an offensive graduate assistant a year ago at Miami, Fla., where he worked primarily with the Hurricane wide receivers and special teams.
Miami, in 2012, featured six players with over 300 receiving yards and seven receivers with more than 20 receptions. The Hurricanes averaged 295.4 passing yards per game in earning a share of the Coastal Division title in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Prior to joining the staff at Miami, Hernandez was the quarterbacks coach at Brown University in 2011, helping that program post a 7-3 record. He also assisted with special teams at Brown.
Hernandez was the head coach at Southington (Conn.) High School in 2010. He served as offensive coordinator, working primarily as quarterback and wide receiver coach in leading Southington to an 8-2 record and conference championship. He has also served in a variety of capacities as a player and coach for the Carinthian Black Lions in Klagenfurt, Austria.
Hernandez was a two-year captain at the University of Connecticut, where he played both quarterback and wide receiver (2004-09). After playing quarterback for three seasons, Hernandez started at wide receiver for two years. Connecticut shared the Big East Conference title in 2007. The Huskies won the 2004 Motor City Bowl, competed in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl and won the 2008 International Bowl.
Hernandez was a team captain for two seasons and during his career earned both the Football Alumni Award and the Iron Husky Award. He was recognized as a Scholar Athlete in 2008 and made the Dean’s List in both 2007 and 2008. Hernandez earned a bachelor’s of science and master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Connecticut.
The Hawkeyes will begin spring practice in late March.