New Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Tim Lester vows to be ‘aggressive in everything we do’

New Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester made it clear: He’s coaching to attack.

“The one thing I know everybody wants to know is what we’re going to be about,” Lester said. “I can tell you right now that we’re going to be a physical football team. We’re going to be disciplined, and we’re going to be aggressive in everything we do.”

Lester spent over a half-decade as the head coach at Western Michigan, and we learned today that he spent time studying opposing teams’ offenses with Green Bay in 2023.

“I’ve always joked about it would be great to have a sabbatical like professors and go research, study. The bad news is, it usually means you got fired the year before when you get to do that,” Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz said.

But it ultimately came down to experience and capability.

“He’s got a real extensive knowledge of offensive football,” Ferentz said. “The most important thing in any year is knowing who your players are, where the strengths and weaknesses are and then trying to get them in the right spot. That came across clear during the conversation portion of things.”

And it sounds like Lester is going to fit right in. When asked about Iowa’s well-documented struggles from last season, and what gives him confidence that he can turn it around — he understands the assignment.

“Well, I love tight ends. I’m a huge fan,” Lester beamed.

Lester also mentioned the importance of the human element, and a saying he’s implemented into his coaching — RBO. Relationship before opportunity.

“I think the biggest thing is sitting down and learning who they are because it does matter,” Lester said. “That’s the key because I know once we have that relationship, then it’s time to go to work. I’ve got to show them kind of our ideas of what we want to do.”

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