The storied career of Kirk Ferentz added another chapter following Iowa's win over UMass.
In 1981, legendary Iowa Head Coach Hayden Fry added little-known coach Kirk Ferentz to his staff as an offensive line coach.
Ferentz has often admitted that he thought the "world ended at Chicago," and did not know anything about the Midwest or Iowa before joining Fry's staff.
Ferentz spent eight seasons on Fry's staff before a short stint as the head coach at the University of Maine (1990 to 1992). Following his time at Maine, he jumped to the NFL, where he was the offensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens until 1999.
In 1999, Ferentz returned to Iowa City where he has been the head coach ever since.
It was a difficult start to his tenure in 1999, earning his first victory over Northern Illinois, followed by 13 straight losses from 1999 to 2000.
Ferentz had some great players on that 2000 team, including Bob Sanders, Robert Gallery, Lavar Woods, Ladell Betts, and Nate Kaeding, but they were all freshmen at that time.
On October 7, 2000, the 0-5 Hawkeyes welcomed No. 25 Michigan State to Kinnick Stadium as they looked to snap a 13-game losing streak. Iowa came out strong early, and was able to hold off Michigan State, earning Kirk Ferentz his first Big Ten conference win.
Ferentz entered Saturday with 205 wins after 27 years as head coach. After a dominating 47-7, Ferentz passed Woody Hayes for the most wins in Big Ten Conference history.
History Made. pic.twitter.com/65tLMmZVCK
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 14, 2025
Fittingly, Ferentz received the game ball in the locker room after the game, following a Gatorade bath, and multiple hugs from family, players, and colleagues.
After the loss against Iowa State, fans were calling for Ferentz's head, even with him on the verge of history.
Ferentz tuned out the noise, and Iowa does what it always does after a loss: they responded.
Ferentz was visibly emotional on the field during an interview with the Big Ten Network and after hugging fellow long-time Iowa coach Phil Parker and his wife, Mary Ferentz.
Even though some fans and media members have grown tired of the same old story when it comes to Iowa Football, Kirk Ferentz has done it and will always do it his way.
Ferentz now sits atop the mountain, and will be immortalized forever with his 206th win.
Congratulations to Coach Ferentz, and everyone hopes you continue to add many more wins to your already Hall of Fame career.