Scott Southmayd is in his 23rd season with the University of Iowa football program. He is in his 11th year as director of player personnel. Southmayd served as Iowa’s quality control director for eight years (2006-13) and administrative assistant for four years (2002-05).
As Iowa’s director of player personnel, Southmayd is involved in many facets of the football program; with the focus being on assisting with Iowa’s recruiting efforts. His main responsibilities include prospect identification, roster management and on-campus recruiting.
As Iowa’s quality control director, Southmayd assisted the recruiting coordinator with the administration of the recruiting process, hosting prospective student-athletes during their visit to campus and gathering information on recruits. He also served as a liaison with other University administration and support areas.
As Iowa’s administrative assistant, Southmayd assisted the coaching staff in compiling statistical information, gathering information on opponents and recruits and assisting in the day-to-day operation of the football office.
In 2023, the Hawkeyes won 10 games, including their final four, to capture the Big Ten West Division for the second time in three years. Iowa advanced to another January bowl game (Citrus Bowl) and finished the season ranked No. 24. The Hawkeyes have been ranked in the final AP Top 25 five of the last six seasons.
Iowa won eight contests 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 11 straight bowl invitations is the longest in school history and its streak of 11 straight winning seasons ranks seventh best among power conferences. The Hawkeyes have earned 25 conference victories between 2020-23, matching its highest four-year conference win total in program history (1982-85 and 2002-05).
The Hawkeyes won 10 games in 2021, winning the Big Ten West Division title and advancing to the conference championship game. Iowa concluded the season with an appearance in the Citrus Bowl and was ranked 23rd in the final national rankings.
Following back-to-back narrow losses to open the 2020 season, Iowa won its final six games, all in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes were ranked 15th in the final CFP rankings and Coaches Poll and 16th by the AP.
Iowa won 47 games from 2015-19, the highest total in school history over any five-year period, and a total that ranked ninth nationally. Iowa won its final four games in 2019 and ranked 15th in the final Associated Press and coaches polls.
The Hawkeyes concluded the 2019 campaign with a 10-3 record following a 49-24 rout over No. 22 USC in the Holiday Bowl. The three losses were all to ranked opponents by a combined 14 points. Iowa was 4-1 in trophy games for the third straight season.
Iowa completed 2018 with nine wins and a final AP ranking of No. 25. The Hawkeyes earned a 27-22 Outback Bowl win over No. 18 Mississippi State to close the season with three straight wins. The four losses came by a total of 23 points and all were decided in the final minutes of play. Iowa tied for second in the Big Ten West Division.
The Hawkeyes posted a perfect 12-0 regular season record in 2015, winning the Big Ten West Division. Iowa participated in the 2016 Rose Bowl Game and the 2015 Big Ten Championship and ended the season in the top 10 in the final national rankings.
Iowa’s most recent bowl game invitations include the 2024 Citrus Bowl, 2022 Music City Bowl, 2022 Citrus Bowl, 2020 Music City Bowl, 2019 Holiday Bowl, 2019 Outback Bowl, 2017 Outback Bowl, 2017 Pinstripe Bowl, 2016 Rose Bowl Game, 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl and 2014 Outback Bowl.
Iowa has appeared in 13 January bowl games since 2001 and has recorded January bowl wins over Florida (2004 Outback), Louisiana State (2005 Capital One), South Carolina (2009 Outback), Georgia Tech (2010 Orange) and Mississippi State (2019 Outback).
Iowa has won 185 games over the past 22 seasons, including 115 Big Ten games. Along with the 2023, 2021 and 2015 division titles, the Hawkeyes earned a share of the Big Ten title in both 2002 and 2004 and tied for second in 2009. Iowa has finished in the Big Ten’s first division in 21 of the past 23 years.
Prior to coming to the University of Iowa, Southmayd was a student coach at Central College in Pella, Iowa, from 1998 to 2001. While at Central, he coached the receivers and worked primarily with the offense. In that time span, Central won three Iowa Conference football championships and participated in four NCAA Division III playoffs. In the summer of 2001, Southmayd served as an intern with the University of Northern Iowa football program.
Southmayd graduated cumma laude from Central College in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies. While at Central, he was the recipient of the Marjorie Giles Leadership Award. Southmayd earned a master’s degree in recreation sport management and leisure studies from Iowa in 2004.
A native of Readlyn, Iowa, Southmayd attended Wapsie Valley High School and played on a state championship football team coached by his father, Jerry Southmayd. He was awarded the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Iowa High School Scholar-Athlete Award in 1998.
Southmayd was born in Waverly, Iowa. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children, sons Landon and Carter, and a daughter, Hannah.
Southmayd’s Coaching Career
School – Position, Years
Iowa – Director of Player Personnel, 2014-Present
Iowa – Quality Control Director, 2006-13
Iowa – Administrative Assistant, 2002-05
Central College – Student Assistant, 1998-2001