Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz has had a busy day at the 2025 Big Ten Media Days, speaking in front of a crowd of reporters and joining the Big Ten Network (BTN) crew at the desk to discuss Iowa's outlook for next season.
Ferentz began his interview with the BTN crew, discussing how he has been able to stay with the Iowa program for so long. He noted that to stay anywhere for so long, you have to be in the right place.
Ferentz is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native, and when he was asked to join the Iowa program, he had to figure out where Iowa was on a map.
He quipped that he thought Chicago was the end of civilization and had no prior knowledge of Iowa before joining the staff under Hayden Fry.
His biggest supporter is his wife, Mary, who has given him her blessing to keep coaching and keep him out of the house.
After discussing his time with Iowa, the conversation shifted to multiple position groups and identifying his projected starters.
In typical Kirk Ferentz fashion, he did not name any specific starters and said he has no idea who will start ahead of their first game against UAlbany in August.
He mentioned that the current situation is similar to one he experienced in 2008, when quarterback Ricky Stanzi and linebacker Pat Angerer started the season as backups but ended up in the starting lineup by September.
Offensive position groups, including the running backs and wide receivers, will look drastically different this year, as well as the linebacker position on defense. Ferentz did not commit to naming any starters, and said all positions are up for grabs.
He does like the squad he has this year and gave all the credit to his players for sticking with it through the hardships they have faced over the past few seasons.
Even without Ferentz committing to any starters, he remains confident that the team will be much improved this season.