Hank Poteat - Football Coach - Iowa State University Athletics

Hank Poteat

Title:
Cornerbacks
Email:
hpoteat@iastate.edu
Phone:
515-294-6721

Hank Poteat is in his third season as cornerbacks coach for Iowa State.

The former Super Bowl winner and 10-year NFL veteran spent the 2021-22 seasons at Wisconsin coaching the cornerbacks after a successful run coaching in the Mid-American Conference.

The Cyclones made great strides in 2024, posting an 11-3 record, the first double-digit win season in program history. ISU reached the school's second Big 12 Championship game and defeated No. 15 Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl to cap off the record-setting season.

The Cyclone defense was again stout, allowing just 22.9 points per game despite a myriad of injuries.The Cyclones were first nationally in passing defense, allowing just 165.6 yards per game, while also finishing 22nd nationally in interceptions (15).

Poteat's cornerback group played a major role in the defense overcoming the injuries as the group had eight interceptions. Redshirt sophomore Jontez Williams, who earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors in his first season as a starter, intercepted a pass in four-straight games. Senior Darien Porter completed his transition from wide receiver to cornerback and had his best collegiate season, intercepting three passes, including two in a road win against rival Iowa. Porter's fellow senior Myles Purchase had his first interception and finished with seven pass breakups in 2024 and 22 in his final two seasons as a Cyclone.

In his first season at Iowa State, the Cyclone defense ranked 10th nationally and second in the Big 12 Conference with 16 interceptions. Cornerback T.J. Tampa was a First Team All-Big 12 selection and earned All-America accolades, in addition to being a semifinalist for the Thorpe and Bednarik Awards. Tampa had two interceptions and allowed just one touchdown in more than 400 coverage snaps. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

ISU's other starting cornerback, Myles Purchase, had 15 pass breakups, tying for fourth nationally.

Among Big 12 schools, the Cyclone defense was second in total defense (363.2) and third in scoring defense (22.8).

Poteat also played a role in the return game, helping tutor Jaylin Noel as he posted career-bests on both kick (27.2) and punt returns (8.5). Noel had two kick returns of at least 50 yards and two punt returns that went for at least 30 yards.

In 2022, Poteat’s defensive unit contributed in Wisconsin finishing 10^th nationally in total defense (303.5 yards per game) and seventh with 17 interceptions.

In his first year at Wisconsin, both of the Badger’s full-time starters at cornerback, Faion Hicks and Caesar Dancy-Williams, earned All-Big Ten honors. Hicks was selected in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos while Dancy-Williams signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams.

Poteat arrived at Wisconsin after serving as Toledo’s cornerbacks coach from 2017-20, where he helped the Rockets win the MAC title and rank No. 22 nationally in passing efficiency defense in his first season.

The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native, coached many successful players during his time at Toledo, including Samuel Womack – who ranked in a tie for fourth nationally with 15 pass breakups as a junior in 2019 and was named first-team All-MAC by Pro Football Focus in 2020 – and Ka’dar Hollman, who began his career as a walk-on and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2019.

He also helped produce three All-MAC cornerbacks during his two seasons at Kent State in Najee Murray, Jerrell Foster and Demetrius Monday while coaching the Golden Flashes from 2015-16.

Poteat was a graduate assistant at his alma mater Pittsburgh in 2013-14 and cornerbacks coach at Kentucky Christian in 2011-12.

Prior to coaching, Poteat was a standout cornerback and kick returner at Pittsburgh from 1996-99, earning first-team All-Big East honors as a junior and senior. He finished his career holding the school records for kick return yards in a season (764 in 1998) and a career (2,010).

Poteat was a third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played for five teams over 10 seasons, earning a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2004 New England Patriots.

He also played for Tampa Bay, the New York Jets and Cleveland during his professional career.

Poteat graduated from Pittsburgh in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences.

He is married to Jasmine and the couple has two daughters, Ariana and Sierra, and a son, Tre.

Coaching Experience
2023-pres. - Iowa State - Cornerbacks
2021-22 - Wisconsin - Cornerbacks
2017-20 - Toledo - Cornerbacks
2015-16 - Kent State - Cornerbacks
2013-14 - Pittsburgh - Graduate Assistant
2011-12 - Kentucky Christian - Cornerbacks