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CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley went with familiarity with his most recent coaching hire.

After the departures of offensive coordinator Joe Davis and wide receivers coach Jason Ray earlier this month, Farley is bringing back former Panther tight end/fullback Ryan Mahaffey as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.

Mahaffey has spent the last two years at Notre Dame as a graduate assistant working primarily with wide receivers and assisting Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and tight ends coach Scott Booker.

“It is a great fit,” Farley said. “Positional-wise, where his heart is at, where his talent is at, it fits him because he already knows our run game and all the things we have done in the run game because that is what he did for us as a tight end/fullback.”

Mahaffey who graduated from UNI in 2011 after playing in 51 career games for the Panthers, also served as UNI’s tight ends coach in 2013 before leaving for Notre Dame. Mahaffey signed with the Baltimore Ravens and also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. As a member of the Colts, Mahaffey appeared in five games in 2011.

The time Mahaffey spent at Notre Dame, Farley believes, was not only beneficial for Mahaffey but will benefit UNI.