Iowa Hawkeyes Lose Important Coach to the NFL

The Iowa Hawkeyes are losing their second coach this offseason, this time to an NFL job for a team coached by an important figure behind the Seattle Seahawks' recent Super Bowl victory.

Iowa running backs coach Omar Young is being plucked from his post in Iowa City and will be hired by the Las Vegas Raiders for the same position. Young will work under first-time head coach Klint Kubiak, who previously served as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator during their Super Bowl winning season.

READ MORE: Northern Illinois Head Coach Departs for NFL Opportunity

Omar Young's Brief but Impactful Time at Iowa:

Omar Young ends his tenure with the Hawkeyes after only one season, in which he coached redshirt sophomore Kamari Moulton to a 170 carries/878 yard/five touchdown season. Here's how other running backs performed under Young:

• Jaziun Patterson: 60 carries for 296 yards
• Xavier Williams: 49 carries for 285 yards and three touchdowns
• Nathan McNeil: 37 carries for 168 yards

Although Moulton was the clear bell cow back for the Hawkeyes' 9-4 season (not including a bowl victory of Vanderbilt), Young found ways to incorporate a committee of players to make Iowa's rushing attack so formidable. Don't forget: Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski kept the rock and took off a lot this season, racking up 545 yards himself.

Omar Young is No Stranger to the NFL:

Prior to his time in Iowa City, Young worked as an offensive assistant with the New England Patriots. In addition, he worked for the Cleveland Browns (2015), Green Bay Packers (2017 - 2018), and Chicago Bears (2022 - 2023).

Young joins a Raiders staff under Kubiak, who brings proven offensive acumen to a team in desperate search of an identity. The Raiders have had five different head coaches in six seasons; a nearly unfathomable amount of futility even by silver and black standards. The good news? The Raiders will almost certainly select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, and they have some of the most cap space in the entire NFL for this upcoming season.

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There's a path to turn this team around quickly. Young could absolutely play a pivotal role in that turnaround if he gets second-year running back Ashton Jeanty going.

Young is the second Hawkeyes coach to be poached this offseason following special teams coordinator LeVar Woods leaving to join Pat Fitzgerald's Michigan State staff. Read more about Omar Young leaving Iowa for Las Vegas on Hawkeyes Wire's website.