Michigan State football’s new staff is coming together under new coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald appears set to bring another coach from the old Big Ten West to East Lansing to fill another key position, just like his predecessor Jonathan Smith did in hiring former Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi.
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MSU is planning to hire Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods Woods away from his alma mater to coach the same group in East Lansing.
FOLLOW ALONG HERE: Michigan State football staff under new coach Pat Fitzgerald
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed that Woods will remain with the Hawkeyes through their Reliaquest Bowl matchup with Vanderbilt on Dec. 31 before joining the Spartans.
A Cleveland native who played linebacker at Iowa from 1996-2000 and served as a captain as a senior, Woods played seven seasons in the NFL that included a two-year stint with the Detroit Lions (2005-06) and has been on Ferentz’ staff since 2008 after his playing career ended.
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Iowa’s special teams units have been among the nation’s best since he took over that role in 2012. Woods and Fitzgerald both have sons who are freshman players for the Hawkeyes, though Woods said his son Mason plans to remain at Iowa.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State nabs Iowa special teams coordinator for same role
