IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team’s historical season is not even a week old and Kirk Ferentz already is down one assistant coach.

Jim Reid will resign from his position as Iowa’s linebackers coach to become the defensive coordinator for Boston College, according to Hawkeye Report.com.

The move is a homecoming of sorts for the 65-year old Reid, who is from Medford, Mass. He also spent one season as Boston College’s defensive coordinator in 1994 before becoming Richmond’s head coach for nine seasons.

This marks the fourth time in seven years that Iowa is looking for a new linebackers coach. Reid spent three seasons at Iowa, helping the Hawkeyes to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Rose Bowl this past season.

Linebacker is considered a strength for Iowa with two of the three starters – Ben Niemann and Josey Jewell – returning next season.

Reid came to Iowa after three seasons as associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Virginia. A job at Boston College would offer him a chance to move closer to home and to be in charge of a defense.

Despite a 3-9 record, Boston College led the nation in total defense this past season, allowing 254.3 yards per game. Don Brown used his success as Boston College’s defensive coordinator to recently land the same job at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh.

Brown’s departure created an opportunity for Reid to move back to the East Coast and to run his own defense again.

Reid is the first Hawkeye assistant to leave this offseason. Coaching changes sometimes occur after a team has had a successful season or vice versa.

Ferentz was asked about that topic at a Dec. 6 press conference.

“I’m not aware of any right now, but you never know,” Ferentz said. “That’s part of the life we live. So, if somebody decides there’s something better out there for them, I’ve always operated under the philosophy that I don’t want to try to make judgments for other people, what’s best for their lives. So, if something would come along that’s exciting for them or attractive, I’ll support them on that.

“The good thing about coaching here is I think we can always get great people to come here and work. And the last couple guys that we have had have been great additions, so I really feel great about our staff right now. When you have good people you’re always at risk, too.”