As is common practice in the wacky world of college football, Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports categorized which coaches are on the ‘hot seat’. As expected, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz’ seat remains cool.
Ferentz who became the ‘Dean of College Football’ (longest tenured head coach) in June with the sudden retirement of Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops is going into his 19th season at the helm in Iowa City.
Dodd’s list was measured on a 6-point scale ranging from 0 (the untouchable coaches) to 5 (the burning seats). Ferentz came in at a 1, which is referred to as being ‘safe and secure’.
No argument can be made for anything different as Ferentz received a ten year contract extension in 2016, that will make him the head coach through the 2026 season. Ferentz is already a season, or two away from becoming the winningest coach in program history, surpassing the legendary Hayden Fry.
Amongst his many accomplishments, Ferentz has twice led the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten Title (2002 & 2004), and has been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year four separate times. The Hawkeyes have gained a healthy reputation as a ‘developmental program’ in the Ferentz Era, taking sometimes overlook talent, and turning them into NFL top talent.
The last losing season for the Hawkeyes was in 2012 when the team had a down year at 4-8. Before that the program hadn’t missed a bowl game since 2007. The only lingering issue for Ferentz’ program is a five game losing streak in bowl games, including the last three which has been one sided.
Dodd’s assessment had no coach in the Big Ten higher than a ‘2’ on his scale (All Good… For Now). Getting that designation was Lovie Smith at Illinois and Mike Riley at Nebraska. The rest were at a ‘1’ with Ferentz as being secure, with Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh amongst the 12 coaches at ‘0’ as “Untouchable”.
What would it take for the number to raise next season on the chart for Ferentz?
Not making a bowl game always seems to draw up angst for Iowa fans, along with not being able to take care of the in-state Cyclones. But, with a new offensive coordinator in son Brian Ferentz, and an unsettled quarterback competition going into preseason camp, no one knows what to expect just yet from Iowa.