Tim Polasek

Tim Polasek (PAWL-uh-seck) was named offensive line coach at the University of Iowa in February, 2017. Polasek joined the Hawkeye coaching staff after serving as offensive coordinator and running backs coach at North Dakota State for the previous three seasons.

Prior to joining the Iowa staff, Polasek helped North Dakota State post a 12-2 mark in 2016, as NDSU reached the FCS semifinals. The Bison averaged 240.9 rushing yards and 407.9 yards total offense per game, as running backs Lance Dunn and King Frazier combined to rush for 1,875 yards.

NDSU’s offense flourished in 2015 with first-year starting quarterback Carson Wentz rushing for more yards than any Bison QB since the veer-option days of the mid-1990s. All-America running back John Crockett added nearly 400 receiving yards to his school-record 1,994 rushing yards.

NDSU won its fourth straight FCS national championship with a 15-1 record and won the conference with a 7-1 mark. Polasek directed a Bison offense that ranked second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 432.3 total yards per game.

North Dakota State’s hard-nosed rushing attack helped NDSU rank second nationally in time of possession (34:03), third in first downs (343) and fifth in third-down conversion percentage (.483). The Bison averaged 5.2 yards per carry and rushed for 235.2 yards per game.

Following back-to-back narrow losses to open the 2020 season, Iowa won six straight games, all in Big Ten play, to complete the regular season. The Hawkeyes scored at least 26 points in each 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 Associated Press.

Iowa has won three straight postseason games and 12 straight nonconference games. The Hawkeyes were selected to compete in the 2020 Music City Bowl, but that event was canceled. Iowa’s streak of eight straight bowl invitations matches the longest in school history.

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 nation in the final Associated Press and coaches polls.

Iowa’s offense in 2020, with first year starting quarterback Spencer Petras, led the Big Ten in red zone offense (0.917), ranked second in scoring (31.8) and third in fewest tackles for loss allowed (5.1). The Hawkeyes scored at least 25 points in all six wins in 2020. Sophomore center Tyler Linderbaum and senior tackle Alaric Jackson earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, while senior Cole Banwart was a second team selection. Linderbaum was one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy. Linderbaum and Jackson each earned first and second-team All-America honors from media outlets.

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 have won 27 games the past three seasons.

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’s efficient offense in 2019 featured junior tackle Tristan Wirfs, the Big Ten’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year. Wirfs earned first-team All-America honors from as many as three national outlets. Jackson earned third-team All-Big Ten honors and Linderbaum was named honorable mention All-Big Ten. Wirfs declared for the 2020 NFL Draft following his junior season and was the 13th player selected in the first round of the draft. Wirfs started every game in his rookie season at right tackle for Tampa, including the 2021 Super Bowl.

Iowa ranked third in the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed in 2019 (1.8), led the league in red zone offense, ranked second in fourth down conversions and fourth in time of possession.

Iowa won six of its first seven games in 2018 and closed the season with wins in the final three games, including the 27-22 Outback Bowl win over No. 18 Mississippi State. The Hawkeyes won three of four trophy games for the third time in four seasons. The four losses came by a total of 23 points and all were decided in the final minutes of play. Iowa’s 5-4 Big Ten record earned a tie for second place in the West Division.

Iowa won eight games in 2017, including a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Boston College to conclude the season. Along with the bowl win, the Hawkeyes scored over 50 points in November wins over third-ranked Ohio State (55-24) and Nebraska (56-14).

The Iowa offense in 2018 set a school record for most points scored in road games, averaging 42.8 points in the five Big Ten contents. The Hawkeyes averaged 31.2 in all games, the ninth highest single-season total in school history. Iowa led the Big Ten and ranked 14th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (1.2 per game) and was second in the league and 12th nationally in fourth down conversions (68 percent).

Four of Iowa’s offensive linemen earned post-season recognition in 2018. Jackson and senior guard Ross Reynolds earned second-team All-Big Ten honors, while senior center Keegan Render earned third-team honors and Wirfs gained honorable mention recognition. Render and Reynolds were invited to NFL camps immediately following the 2019 NFL Draft, with Reynolds earning a spot on the practice squad of the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Nate Stanley passed for over 2,800 yards and 26 touchdowns, while Iowa’s trio of running backs combined to rush for 1,723 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Due to injuries to returning senior starters Boone Myers and Ike Boettger in 2017, the Hawkeye offensive line included a redshirt freshman at left tackle and a true freshman at right tackle for the majority of the season. The offensive line paved the way for running back Akrum Wadley (1,109) to surpass 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season, while Stanley passed for 2,437 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Senior guard Sean Welsh earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, junior center James Daniels earned honorable mention recognition, and Jackson was named first-team Freshman All-America by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

Daniels declared for the 2018 NFL Draft and was a second round selection of the Chicago Bears. Boettger and Myers, who both missed the majority of the season due to injury, signed free agent contracts following the draft.

Polasek coached tight ends and fullbacks at Northern Illinois in 2013. The Huskies posted a 12-2 record, advancing to the Mid-American Conference championship game and earning a bid to the Poinsettia Bowl.

Polasek coached at North Dakota State from 2006-12, coaching running backs (2006-12), and tight ends and fullbacks (2010-12).  He also served as special teams coordinator from 2010-12.

Polasek was an assistant coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point for three seasons before initially joining the staff at North Dakota State. He coached defensive backs (2005), wide receivers/tight ends (2003-04) and quarterbacks (spring 2003). He was the special teams coordinator in 2004-05 and passing game coordinator in 2003-04.

Polasek attended Concordia University in Wisconsin, where he is the all-time leading passer. He set single-game, single-season and career records for touchdown passes, passing yards, completions and completion percentage. He was the Badger-Illini Conference Player of the Year in 2000. Polasek was a two-time first team all-conference selection in (2000-01) after earning second team honors in 1999. He was a team captain for two seasons and is a member of the Concordia Hall of Fame.

Polasek graduated from Concordia University in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He earned his master’s degree from Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2005.

Polasek was born Aug. 8, 1979, and is a native of Iola, Wisconsin. His wife’s name is Jill.

Polasek’s Coaching Career
School – Position, Years
Iowa – Offensive Line, 2017-present
North Dakota State    Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs, 2012-16
Northern Illinois – Tight Ends/Fullbacks, 2013
North Dakota State – Tight Ends/Fullbacks/Special Teams Coordinator, 2010-2012
North Dakota State – Running Backs, 2006-12
Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Defensive Backs, 2005
Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Wide Receivers/Tight Ends, 2003-04
Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Quarterbacks, 2003