College football is right around the corner, and even though the Iowa program is undergoing multiple on-field changes, one thing that hasn't changed is Kirk Ferentz's steadiness.
The Hawkeye program has been consistently successful under Ferentz, notching 13 straight winning seasons. The Hawkeyes haven't had a losing season since the 2012 season (4-8) and have won five bowl games during that span (2017-2019, 2022, 2025). Ferentz is the longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten and nationally, and his Hall of Fame resume continues to grow every season.
Before the 2026 season, Ferentz is once again in the national spotlight for one of the most prestigious coaching awards.
Ferentz was named to the 2026 Preseason Dodd Trophy Watchlist
The Hawkeyes finished last season with a solid 9-4 record and a victory over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, and that success has earned Kirk Ferentz a spot on the prestigious Dodd Trophy watchlist.
Continuing to forge excellence on and off the field.
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) July 9, 2026
Coach Ferentz has been named to the Dodd Trophy Watch List 🏆#Hawkeyes x @thedoddtrophy pic.twitter.com/CANIsk2nSu
The Dodd Trophy is presented annually to the head coach who experiences success on the field and stresses the importance of scholarship, leadership, and integrity, the three main pillars of coaching of legendary former coach Bobby Dodd. Ferentz is one of 20 head coaches on the preseason watch list, with the Big Ten leading the way with seven total nominations. A mid-season watch list will also be released later in the fall.
Ferentz (2015) is also one of four coaches on the list who have previously won the award, along with Curt Cignetti (2025), Marcus Freeman (2024), and Willie Fritz (2022), and he could enter some rarified air if he wins the award a second time. It is an uphill battle for Ferentz this season, with only 10 returning players, lower than normal for the Iowa program. The Hawkeyes have some talent, but even more questions, especially on offense.
The quarterback battle is the most obvious question heading into next season, with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski in a neck-and-neck race for the starting job. Summer workouts are in full swing for the program, but we most likely won't know who the starter is until much closer to the season. The offensive line also has multiple question marks, having to replace three starters from last season (center Logan Jones, guard Beau Stephens, and tackle Gennings Dunker.
Fans will get another early look at what the squad might look like during the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago near the end of July, with Ferentz, Addison Ostrenga, Jayden Montgomery, and Zach Lutmer representing the program. Ferentz and the trio of players will have many important questions to answer, and if Ferentz even wants to sniff winning the award, the Hawkeyes will have to outplay expectations.
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