Iowa running backs coach Ladell Betts is taking the same position with the New York Giants, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic.
Betts spent the last four seasons on Iowa's staff after becoming the running backs coach in 2021. Last season, Betts helped Kaleb Johnson to a record-breaking junior campaign, as he posted school single-season records in points (138), total touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (21). He scored in all 12 games during the regular season, the longest streak in program history. Johnson also led the Big Ten in rushing by over 250 yards and eight touchdowns, and did so on 16 fewer carries than second-place Kyle Monangai of Rutgers.
Over the entirety of the season, Johnson accounted for 40 percent of the offensive yardage and scored 58 percent of Iowa's touchdowns. He finished the year as a Doak Walker Award finalist and was named the Big Ten Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year.
Johnson also had a stellar freshman campaign under Betts, rushing for 779 yards and six touchdowns and earning Freshman All-America recognition while also averaging 25 yards on 13 kickoff returns.
This spring, Johnson is expected to be taken in the first or second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He declared for the draft shortly after the 2024 regular season came to a close.
In his first year on staff at Iowa, Betts also coached current Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson. In Goodson's third year with the Hawkeyes, he led the Iowa rushing attack with 1,151 yards and six touchdowns, while also collecting 247 receiving yards and one touchdown. That season, Goodson earned third-team all-conference honors.
A former Iowa running back himself, Betts is the only running back in program history to lead the team in rushing four straight years. Betts is currently ranked second in career rushing yards (3,686), fourth in all-purpose yards (4,397) and 19th in career scoring (162).
He also had a successful NFL career, playing his first eight seasons for Washington before spending his final year in New Orleans and wrapping up his time as a player in 2010.
Betts will head back to the NFL ranks for the first time in a decade and a half to coach under Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Former Iowa Hawkeyes on the roster include WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, DB Dane Belton and LS Casey Kreiter. Betts will also be the position coach of Tyrone Tracy, a former Iowa wide receiver turned running back after transferring to Purdue.
