Martin Hopkins

Martin Hopkins is in his eighth year as a member of the Iowa coaching staff, holding the position of football analyst. He served as a graduate assistant coach from 2016-18. Hopkins assisted with the Hawkeye defensive backs in 2018 after working with the linebacker positions in 2016-17.

Hopkins previously served as a student assistant (2013-14) and quality control assistant (2015) within the program. In 2013, he worked with the tight ends, in 2014 he worked with the offensive line, and in 2015 he worked with defense and special teams.

Iowa has won 47 games over the past five seasons, the highest total in school history over any five-year period, and a total that ranks ninth nationally. Iowa won its final four games in 2019 and ranked 15th in the nation in the final Associated Press and coaches polls.

The Hawkeyes concluded the 2019 campaign with a 10-3 record following a 49-24 win over No. 22 Southern California in the Holiday Bowl. The three losses were all to ranked opponents by a combined 14 points. The Hawkeyes were 4-1 in trophy games for the third straight season. Iowa has won three straight postseason games and 12 straight nonconference games.

Iowa completed the 2018 season with a 9-4 mark and a final ranking of 25th in the Associated Press national rankings. 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 West Division of the Big Ten Conference. 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.

Along with winning its most recent three bowl games, Iowa also participated in the 2017 Outback Bowl, 2016 Rose Bowl Game, 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl and 2014 Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes have ranked in the final top 10 of both major polls five times in the past 18 seasons.

Iowa tied for second in the nation in interceptions (20) in 2018 after leading the nation in 2017 with 21. Iowa’s 53 thefts over the past three seasons lead the nation. The 2019 Hawkeye defense ranked among the top 17 in the nation in scoring defense (5th, 14.0), first downs allowed (9th, 16.6), total defense (12th, 308.2), rushing defense (14th, 112.5), turnover margin (14th, 0.7), and pass efficiency defense (17th, 116.0).

In 2018 junior defensive back Amani Hooker was named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, marking the fourth Hawkeye to earn that honor since 2012 (Josh Jackson, 2017, Desmond King, 2015, Micah Hyde, 2012). Hooker earned first-team All-Big honors and second-team All-America recognition, and declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season. Defensive end A.J. Epenesa earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and defensive end Anthony Nelson was named to the second team.

The Hawkeye defense led the nation with 21 interceptions in 2017, led by defensive back Josh Jackson, who led the nation individually with eight interceptions to match Iowa’s single-season record. Jackson and linebacker Josey Jewell each earned unanimous consensus All-America honors. The Hawkeyes ranked 17th in the nation in scoring defense (19.9), allowing less than 20 points per game for the third consecutive season. Iowa matched a school record with four interception return touchdowns.

Jackson, in his first year as a starter, also led the nation in passes defended, ranked second in interception return yards and return touchdowns, and ranked fourth in pass break-ups. He had two interception returns for touchdowns and tied Iowa’s single-game record with three interceptions in a 55-24 win over third-ranked Ohio State.

Jewell led the Big Ten in tackles for the second time in three seasons (he was second as a junior) and ranked fourth in the nation in tackles per game (11.3). He earned unanimous consensus All-America honors and was named the Big Ten Conference linebacker and defensive Player of the Year. Jewell earned the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Jack Lambert Trophy, and was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy.

Hopkins earned his bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business in 2013, with a minor in health and sports studies. He earned his master’s degree in sports and recreation management from Iowa in December, 2018.

Hopkins was born March 21, 1991 and is a native of Chicago. He is engaged to Elizabeth Sweeney.