IOWA CITY, Iowa – – FormerUniversity of Iowa defensive lineman Jerry Montgomery will serve as honorary captain Saturday evening when Iowa hosts Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium (5:35 p.m., FS1) in the annual battle for Floyd of Rosedale. Montgomery is in his third season as an assistant coach with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, working with the defensive line.
Montgomery, a native of Mesquite, Nevada (Virgin Valley High School), was a four-year letterman (1998-2001), and three-year starter while playing for both Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz. Montgomery concluded his career in Iowa’s 2001 Alamo Bowl win over Texas Tech. He also played in the Hula Bowl All-Star game and spent the 2002 training camp with the New Orleans Saints.
As a Hawkeye senior, Montgomery earned the defensive Coaches Appreciation Award after starting 10 games at defensive tackle, missing two complete games because of injury. He started all 12 games in 2000 and started 10 contests as a sophomore in 1999. He was one of four true freshmen to see action in 1998.
Montgomery recorded 135 tackles as a Hawkeye, with 69 solo tackles and 66 assists. He also registered 20 tackles for loss, five sacks, six pass break-ups, and three recovered fumbles. As a prep, he was a two-time Street & Smith All-American and the Nevada state Player of the Year as a senior.
Montgomery’s coaching career began as a student assistant with the Hawkeyes in 2002, as Iowa earned a share of the Big Ten title and a spot in the 2003 Orange Bowl. He served as an assistant coach at West High School in Iowa City in 2003-04, and was the defensive coordinator at North Iowa Community College in 2005.
Following his Hawkeye playing career, Montgomery played for the Chicago Rush, Colorado Crush, and Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League from 2003-05.
Prior to joining the Packers, Montgomery was a college assistant coach for 11 years, working at Oklahoma (2013-14), Michigan (2011-12), Wyoming (2009-10), and Northern Iowa (2006-08).
At Oklahoma, Montgomery was named Big 12 Recruiter of the Year in 2014. At Michigan, he helped the Wolverines posted a 19-7 record, assisting with a defense that allowed 18.6 points per game. Northern Iowa advanced to the playoffs in each of the three years Montgomery was on the Panther staff, winning 12 games in both 2007 and 2008.
Montgomery will accompany the Iowa captains to the center of the field for Saturday’s pregame coin toss. He will also be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game.
