The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is making strides in their coaching staff with the anticipated hiring of Omar Young as their new running backs coach. With a diverse background spanning various NFL and collegiate programs, Young brings a wealth of experience to the table. Previously working under former head coach Jerrod Mayo with the New England Patriots, Young has also held positions with the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers. His college coaching journey includes roles at Eastern Illinois and Colorado, among others. This hire follows the departure of Ladell Betts, who moved to the New York Giants, and aims to build upon the legacy left by first-team All-American running back Kaleb Johnson.
Young's career trajectory showcases his adaptability and expertise in offensive strategies. At 41 years old, he most recently worked with the American Team running backs during the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Before joining the Patriots in 2024, Young spent two years with the Chicago Bears, where he transitioned from an offensive quality control coach to a wide receivers and assistant quarterbacks coach. His earlier stints include time with the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers, further enriching his knowledge base.
Young's educational foundation was laid at Willamette University in Oregon, where he played defensive back for two years. Following this, he gained valuable experience as a student assistant and video coordinator for Savannah State’s football program. His collegiate coaching career expanded significantly when he took on the role of running backs coach at Eastern Illinois from 2019 to 2021, alongside directing quality control for defense and special teams at Colorado in 2013 and 2014.
With the departure of Ladell Betts, who accepted the position of running backs coach for the New York Giants, the Iowa Hawkeyes face the challenge of maintaining their high standards in the running game. The team must now find ways to fill the void left by Kaleb Johnson, who shattered several single-season records for the university. Looking ahead, redshirt sophomores Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson will play crucial roles, having contributed 170 rushing yards on 23 carries during Iowa’s Music City Bowl encounter against Missouri.
Omar Young's arrival signals a fresh start for the Iowa Hawkeyes' running game. As they adjust to life without Kaleb Johnson, the team hopes that Young's extensive experience and strategic acumen will help elevate the performances of their younger players. By leveraging his insights from both professional and collegiate realms, Young could be pivotal in steering the Hawkeyes towards continued success on the field.