Kelvin Bell, a former member of the University of Iowa football team, is in his sixth season as Iowa’s defensive line coach. Bell was named recruiting coordinator and defensive assistant coach in February, 2016. Bell also held the position of director of on-campus recruiting for two years (2014-15). He served as a graduate assistant coach for two years (2012-13), assisting with special teams.
Throughout his coaching stint at Iowa, Bell has been involved in all aspects of prospect identification, working with the coaching staff in off-campus recruiting efforts, and coordinated all aspects of on-campus recruiting activities.
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. Four linemen earned all-conference recognition following the season: Joe Evans (third team), Yayha Black (honorable mention), Deontae Craig (honoarable mention) and Logan Lee (honorable mention). Black and Craig will return in 2024.
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).
Iowa’s defense led the way in 2022, including posting just the second shutout in Iowa’s 35 bowl games. The Hawkeyes won eight games, including five of their final six games. The defense led the nation in with seven defensive touchdowns, including two interception return scores in the bowl win. Iowa’s defense was in the top 12 in the nation in scoring defense (second), total defense (second), pass efficiency defense (fourth), passing yards per game (sixth), first down defense (10th), third down defense (11th) and rushing defense (12th).
Four linemen in 2022 earned All-Big Ten recognition. Lukas Van Ness and Evans garnered second team laurels, while Noah Shannon and Lee were honorable mention. Van Ness declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected in the first round by the Green Bay Packers (13th overall selection).
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.
Iowa’s defense set a school record and led the nation with 25 interceptions in 2021. The defense ranked among national leaders in takeaways (30, third), defensive touchdowns scored (four, seventh), pass efficiency defense (110.5, sixth), turnover margin (0.8, 11th), rushing defense (114.4, 13th), scoring defense (19.2, 13th) and total defense (328.8, 18th).
Zach VanValkenburg led the play of Iowa’s defensive front, earning second-team all-league honors, while Shannon earned honorable mention recognition. Iowa’s defensive line in 2021 featured three players in their first year as starters.
VanValkenburg signed a free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders immediately following the 2022 NFL Draft. In three consecutive years (2019-21), the Hawkeyes had a defensive lineman selected in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft, while Van Ness added to that total in 2023.
Following back-to-back narrow losses to open the 2020 season, Iowa won its final six games, all in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes allowed just seven points in three of the six wins. The winning streak included road wins at Minnesota, Penn State and Illinois, and trophy game victories over Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes were ranked 15th in the nation in the final CFP rankings and Coaches Poll, and 16th by the AP. The Hawkeyes were selected to compete in the 2020 Music City Bowl, but that event was canceled.
Iowa’s defense in 2020 led the nation in allowing opponents 4.3 yards per play. The Hawkeyes ranked among the national leaders in several additional categories, including scoring (16.0, 7th), pass efficiency defense (110.1, 9th), rushing defense (107.6, 11th), total defense (313.8, 12th), red zone defense (.727, 12th) and interceptions (11, 19th).
Daviyon Nixon earned unanimous consensus All-America honors. He was named the Big Ten’s defensive lineman and defensive player of the year while earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. He was a finalist for both the Outland Trophy and Nagurski Award. Chauncey Golston also earned first-team all-league honors, while VanValkenburg earned second-team laurels. Golston was selected by Dallas in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, while Nixon was selected in the fifth round by Carolina. Jack Heflin signed a free agent contract (Green Bay) immediately following the draft.