Tim Lester has had to become unbelievably nimble through 19 games as Iowa football's offensive coordinator.

In 2024, he had to adjust to three different starting quarterbacks with three totally different styles — Cade McNamara, Brendan Sullivan and walk-on Jackson Stratton — while knowing that his Shanahan offensive system brought from the NFL would take longer to install on the passing side. As a result, he adapted and delivered Iowa’s best rushing offense since 2002 and a first-team all-America running back, along with an increase in scoring by 80% from his predecessor (from 15.4 to 27.7 points per game). He won games with all three quarterbacks, and Iowa went 8-5.

Now in 2025, expected stability with South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski has taken several detours. Lester's top fo

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