After another solid season, the longest tenured coach in college football isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
The Hawkeyes finished last season on a high note, knocking off Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, earning their first win over a ranked opponent in 14 games after going 0-13 in the previous 13. Even after the program was forced to vacate some wins from the 2023 season after the NCAA deemed that they made illegal contact with then-Michigan QB Cade McNamara, Kirk Ferentz still set the all-time Big Ten wins record, and he isn't slowing down.
Ferentz's retirement plans aren't on the horizon as he enters year 28
The Hawkeyes have had sustained success since Ferentz took over the program in 1999, and after a few rough early years, the program has been a model of consistency. Now heading into his 28th season in charge, Ferentz says he feels as good as he did in his first season, and he is ready to start another season.
Kirk Ferentz says, even though he's entering year 28, he feels like he did in 1999. Says he feels good and enjoys the people he works with every day. Not considering retirement.
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) August 14, 2026
After the 2021 season, Ferentz signed a contract extension that goes through the 2029 season, but a recent report suggests he wants to go past that. He reportedly wants another extension that goes beyond 2029, and his recent admission confirms those sentiments. He claims he feels as good now as he did when he started, and he enjoys the people he works with every day. Retirement is not in the cards, even though he will be in his mid-seventies when his current contract expires. Ferentz will be 74 when his contract expires, but he still isn't considering retirement.
Adding a College Football Playoff appearance would no doubt be the cherry on top of his Hall of Fame resume, and while that is not likely his motivation, there is no doubt it is at the back of his mind. Ferentz has already accumulated two Big Ten Championships, 11 Bowl victories, and 213 total wins, not to mention sending over 100 players to the NFL. There is no doubt Ferentz will be in the Hall of Fame one day, but we shouldn't expect to see that day any time soon.
While some fans think the program should have moved on from Ferentz long ago, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, and it raises an important question: how do you measure success? If you measure success in National Championships or CFP appearances, Ferentz definitely falls short. If you measure success by player development, Ferentz belonged in the Hall of Fame years ago. If you measure it by sustained success, the Hawkeyes haven't had a losing season since 2012.
Regardless of how you slice it, Ferentz is the man for the job, and he has earned the right to walk away on his own terms. The grass isn't always greener on the other side, and Iowa would take a drastic step back if they let him go before his time is up. Ferentz could easily change his mind in a few years after the consistent grind of the college football season and everything that accompanies it, but for now, we must appreciate having Ferentz on the sidelines.
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