Iowa City Today

Paul Federici has announced his retirement after a 21-year tenure with the University of Iowa football program. He completed his 16th year as director of football operations in 2025, having previously served as director of athletic training services for five years.

“Paul has been an invaluable member of our program for more than 20 years,” stated Kirk Ferentz, Moon Family Head Football Coach. “He joined the team as an athletic trainer and rapidly became known for his skills, focus and commitment to the players. Several years later, Paul moved into the role of Director of Football Operations -- which he has held for the past 16 years.”

Federici was instrumental in planning and coordinating Iowa’s daily operations and travel plans starting from the 2009 football season. He also played a key role as a championship team operations liaison at college football playoff national championship games from 2015-19, served on the Rose Bowl Game Advisory Committee, and was a Big Ten representative on the National Football Operations Committee.

“It is incredibly challenging to manage all the details surrounding every facet of a football program -- from logistics, to travel, to managing staff and player needs -- and Paul has made it look effortless,” Ferentz added. “We wish him well in retirement and thank him for making our program better.”

During Federici's time with Iowa, the Hawkeyes achieved significant success: winning 172 games, securing two Big Ten Championships, three Big Ten West Division titles, finishing in the Big Ten's first division 19 times, and appearing in 19 bowl games.

"It was a special privilege to learn from John Streif, Norm Parker, Ben Hansen, Andy Piro, Ken O’Keefe, Reese Morgan and Dr. Ned Amendola,” Federici remarked. "Each provided unique personal and professional perspectives for which I will always be grateful. Coach Ferentz's leadership and consistent messaging to staff and players on skills focused on lifelong success is the fundamental cause of Iowa Football's sustained athletic and academic success."

Federici began his career with Iowa Athletics in 2004 after serving as head athletic trainer for the Seattle Seahawks for five seasons. Before joining Seattle in January 1999, he was head athletic trainer at Vanderbilt University from 1994-99.

Certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association since 1985, Federici has been active within various committees during his career at Vanderbilt University including Mission/Vision planning team among others.