In a move to revamp their struggling offense, the Iowa Hawkeyes have hired former Western Michigan coach and Green Bay Packers senior analyst, Tim Lester, as their new offensive coordinator. Multiple sources close to the program confirmed the news to The Athletic on Sunday. Lester will be replacing Brian Ferentz, whose contract was not renewed following the 2023 season.

Lester brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent six years as the head coach at Western Michigan, where he compiled a 37-32 record. During his tenure, Lester oversaw an offense that consistently ranked among the top 35 nationally in total offense from 2018 to 2021. However, the Broncos experienced their first losing season under Lester in 2022, leading to his departure.

Before his stint at Western Michigan, Lester served as a senior analyst with the Green Bay Packers and worked as a quarterbacks coach at both Purdue (2016) and Syracuse (2013-2015). He also had a successful collegiate career at Western Michigan, setting several passing records from 1996 to 1999.

The decision to hire Lester is seen as a departure from the familiar names that were initially rumored to be in contention for the position. While some Iowa fans may view Lester as a polarizing choice, he brings a familiarity with the Midwest region and an understanding of Iowa's preferred style of play. The Hawkeyes aim to emphasize complementary football, with an emphasis on the offensive line and making use of talented tight ends like Luke Lachey, who returns for the upcoming season.

One area that Lester is expected to improve is Iowa's passing game, which has faltered in recent years. During his time at Western Michigan, Lester effectively utilized top receivers and quarterbacks to generate over 430 yards of total offense in four consecutive seasons. While replicating those numbers at Iowa may prove challenging, any improvement in the passing system should boost the Hawkeyes' chances of competing at the top of the highly competitive Big Ten conference.

Iowa fans have been eagerly anticipating the announcement of their new offensive coordinator, and while Tim Lester may not have been the splash hire many were hoping for, his familiarity with the region and proven track record make him a favorable candidate to lead the Hawkeyes' offense into the upcoming season. With the support of head coach Kirk Ferentz, Lester will have the opportunity to implement his strategy and help Iowa reclaim its offensive prowess.