Iowa Hawkeyes Tap Super Bowl-Winning Executive as Consultant
The Iowa Hawkeyes have had an active offseason, from overhauling their quarterback room (again) and establishing a new "Flight Funds" program to pay student-athletes in various sports. This week, the Hawkeye football program added a decorated and highly regarded executive to their rolodex of consultants.
This executive has held some of the biggest titles in the NFL, including that of general manager, assistant general manager, and vice president of player personnel. It's also his first official role with a team since 2019, and is a longtime friend and former colleague of Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz.
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Iowa's New Consultant Already Knows Kirk Ferentz Well:
That man is Scott Pioli, who will join the Hawkeyes as a consultant to assist the football program's transition into a new financial model, per The Athletic. Following the landmark court settlement that approved $2.8 billion for colleges to begin paying student-athletes directly, Pioli is set to help the Hawkeyes navigate this new system in its embryonic stages.
The 60-year-old Pioli is familiar with Ferentz thanks to their shared time with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens from 1992 - 1996. The two have remained close over the last three decades. Pioli has been a common presence at Iowa football practices, and will be of assistance to other programs within the school, though his primary focus will be on the football side; the side he knows best.
Pioli Brings a Super Bowl-Winning Resume:
Pioli's biggest achievements came during his time with the New England Patriots amidst their nearly 20-year-long dynasty. Pioli was the Patriots' vice president of player personnel when the team won three Super Bowls, and was named the Pro Football Writers Association's Executive of the Year thrice as well. Pioli later served as the Kansas City Chiefs' general manager from 2009-12, and worked alongside Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff as assistant GM from 2014 - 2019.
As of late, Pioli has worked as an analyst for NBC Sports and NFL Network.
College Football Teams are Hiring a Lot of Former NFL Executives:
Per The Athletic, Iowa will share the maximum allowable amount of money under the aforementioned settlement. That is $20.5 million, with roughly 75% of the money going towards the football program. Pioli's hiring is similar, albeit not the same, to the University of North Carolina's hiring of former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi to serve as the Tar Heels' GM.
College football teams historically rarely have formal general managers, but with the influx of money being paid to players, that adds another wrinkle in the realm of recruiting and financial planning that requires additional brain-power in the building.
Read more about the Iowa Hawkeyes hiring former NFL executive Scott Pioli as a consultant on HawkeyesWire's website.
Iowa Hawkeyes Who Have Won a Super Bowl
Gallery Credit: Tom Drake
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