Iowa Loses LeVar Woods to Big Ten Rival Michigan State

The Iowa Hawkeyes lost one of their most respected assistant coaches this offseason when special teams coordinator LeVar Woods left for Michigan State. Woods, an Iowa alum who served on the Hawkeye staff in some capacity since 2008, joined new Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald in East Lansing. The move gives a Big Ten rival one of college football's top special minds and raises real questions about how Iowa replaces that institutional knowledge.

Why LeVar Woods' Departure Matters for Iowa

Woods built a reputation as one of the best special teams coordinators in the nation during his long tenure at Iowa. He developed elite specialists and consistently delivered strong schematic results. The Hawkeyes have long won games on the margins, and special teams were a cornerstone of that approach under Woods.

The impact of his coaching was on full display last season when Iowa traveled to Michigan State. Return specialist Kaden Wetjen returned a punt for a touchdown and delivered several other big returns that fueled Iowa's come-from-behind victory over the Spartans. That was Woods' scheme and preparation at work, even on the road.

Now, that same expertise heads to a division opponent. Losing a coach of Woods' caliber to a conference rival is a significant blow, and Hawkeye fans have every right to wonder how quickly the special teams unit can reload without him.

How Woods Changes Michigan State's Outlook

From the Spartans' perspective, landing Woods was a major coup. Michigan State went 4-8 last season, but that record could have been different with better execution on special teams. The Spartans had a punt blocked for a touchdown against Nebraska and muffed a kickoff that swung momentum completely in the Cornhuskers' favor. Those mistakes directly cost Michigan State a shot at bowl eligibility.

Woods has already reshaped the Spartans' special teams roster through the transfer portal. Michigan State now features a new kicker, punter, long snapper, and kick returner, all brought in from different schools this offseason.

Fitzgerald's decision to prioritize special teams in his first hiring cycle shows a clear understanding of how to win in the Big Ten. Michigan State cannot simply out-talent most conference opponents right now. Winning the margins is exactly how Iowa stayed competitive for years under Woods, and Fitzgerald is betting that same formula works in East Lansing.

Michigan State's Quarterback Could Be a Problem for Opposing Defenses

While Woods handles the margins, Michigan State's ceiling will depend heavily on quarterback Alessio Milivojevic. The redshirt sophomore has been overlooked nationally this offseason, frequently landing near the bottom of Big Ten quarterback rankings. That seems premature based on what he showed in limited action last year.

Milivojevic threw for 986 yards with seven touchdowns and just two interceptions across four starts against Minnesota, Penn State, Iowa, and Maryland. He was particularly sharp against Minnesota, throwing for 311 yards, and against Maryland, where he posted 292 yards and four touchdowns.

This season marks the first time Milivojevic will start a full 12-game schedule. He has shown the ability to take hits in the pocket and still deliver accurate passes into tight windows. If he can clean up his tendency to hold the ball too long, Milivojevic could easily emerge as a mid-tier Big Ten quarterback or better.

Wide Receiver Question Marks Remain for the Spartans

The biggest concern on Michigan State's roster is the lack of proven playmakers in the passing game. The Spartans lost both Nick Marsh and Omari Kelly during the offseason, leaving a significant void at wide receiver.

Chrishon McCray is the early favorite to step into a leading role. He caught 24 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns last season and appeared to be Milivojevic's preferred target during the spring game. McCray's best performance in 2025 came with Milivojevic under center, a two-touchdown game against Iowa.

Beyond McCray, the Spartans need several unproven players to develop quickly. The list of candidates includes transfers KK Smith from Notre Dame, Fredrick Moore from Michigan, and Jameel Gardner Jr. from Jackson State. True freshman Samson Gash could see immediate playing time. Redshirt freshmen Charles Taplin and Bryson Williams impressed during spring practices. Rodney Bullard Jr. could also factor in if the NCAA grants his waiver request.

None of those players are proven Power Four starters. Michigan State needs at least two of them to become reliable options before the season opens.

What Does This Mean for Iowa This Fall?

Iowa fans should circle the Michigan State game on the calendar. The Hawkeyes will face a Spartans team that now employs the very coach who helped Iowa beat them last season. Woods knows Iowa's personnel, tendencies, and approach better than almost anyone outside the program.

The broader concern is how Iowa replaces Woods' steady hand on special teams. The Hawkeyes have built their identity on field position, disciplined play, and winning the kicking game. A drop-off in any of those areas could cost Iowa in a conference where margins are razor thin.

Michigan State, meanwhile, is betting that Woods can transform their culture the way he helped sustain Iowa's. If he succeeds, the Spartans could push for a bowl game in Fitzgerald's first year. If Iowa's special teams slip without him, the loss will sting even more.

Can Michigan State Reach a Bowl Game in 2026?

Preseason expectations are modest. ESPN's SP+ rankings place Michigan State 67th nationally, the second-worst mark in the Big Ten ahead of only Purdue. CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford predicted a 3-9 finish for the Spartans. A 5-7 record seems more realistic, but the additions of Woods and a full season of Milivojevic give Michigan State a legitimate chance to exceed those projections.

Will LeVar Woods' Exit Hurt Iowa's Special Teams?

It is hard to imagine Iowa's special teams maintaining the same level of consistency without the coach who orchestrated them for well over a decade. Woods developed specialists, designed effective schemes, and built a unit that consistently gave the Hawkeyes an edge. His departure creates a void that will be difficult to fill quickly, especially with a new coordinator installing different systems and expectations.

Is Alessio Milivojevic a Legitimate Big Ten Starter?

Milivojevic showed enough in four starts last season to suggest he belongs. His touchdown-to-interception ratio of seven to two is promising, and he performed well against quality competition. The real test comes over a full 12-game schedule, but the early returns are encouraging for Michigan State and concerning for opposing defenses.