Iowa Football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz has been an offensive line guru since 1981, when he joined legendary Iowa Head Coach Hayden Fry's staff as the offensive line coach.
Ferentz was the offensive line coach under Fry through the 1989 season. He became the head coach of Maine University from 1990 to 1992 before joining Hall of Fame Coach Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns as the offensive line coach.
He was also the offensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens before returning to Iowa to take the Head Coaching position in 1999.
Ferentz has guided six players to becoming first-round NFL Draft picks, and three former Hawkeye offensive linemen have earned NFL All-Pro honors.
One of those All-Pro offensive lineman was named to ESPN's All-Quarter Century Team.
Former Hawkeye OL Marshall Yanda named to ESPN's All-Quarter Century team. Another honor for one of the most consistent linemen in NFL history: https://t.co/t1hxAYnvvs
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) June 29, 2025
ESPN released its All-Quarter Century team, and former Hawkeye offensive lineman Marshal Yanda was on the 53-man list.
After beginning his college career at North Iowa Area Community College (2003-2004), Yanda transferred to Iowa. Fernetz has often mentioned that Yanda was crucial to their team's success and helped establish a solid offensive line culture.
After Baltimore drafted Yanda with the No. 86 pick in the third round, he slowly became one of the best offensive linemen in the league.
During his impressive 13-year NFL career, Yanda was called for only 11 holding penalties, earned two All-Pro First Team selections, and five All-Pro Second Team selections.
Yanda also helped guide Baltimore to Super Bowl Championship in 2012, and is eligible for the NFL Hall of Fame in 2025.
He played his entire career with the Ravens and is considered one of the best offensive linemen ever.