Kirk Ferentz has been more emotional as his Iowa coaching career has progressed, but his latest tear-jerking statement proves this is exactly where he was meant to be.
Ferentz initially joined legendary Iowa coach Hayden Fry's staff, which included future head coaches Bill Snyder, Barry Alvarez, and Bob Diaco. Ferentz started as an OL coach under Fry and continued his journey to the NFL, where he coached the OL for Baltimore and Cleveland. Ferentz admitted he never really considered being a head coach, but when Iowa came calling, he couldn't turn it down.
Iowa was the only job Ferentz would have left the NFL for
Ferentz returned to the University of Iowa in 1999 to replace Fry after he announced his retirement, and it wasn't smooth sailing at first. Iowa was 4-19 in Ferentz's first two seasons, and if that occurred today, he would have been fired almost immediately. Iowa stuck with him, and the program went on to five consecutive winning seasons from 2001 to 2005, including three bowl wins (2001, 2003, 2004). Now in his 27th season in charge, Ferentz reflected on his wild journey, and if you don't have a box of tissues near you, definitely reconsider.
“I never wanted to be a head coach, and this is the only place I would’ve left the NFL for.”
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 2, 2026
—Iowa Football HC Kirk Ferentz on his remarkable journey 🥹 pic.twitter.com/XRfLXcH6Eb
ESPN has completely taken over Iowa City with both "The Pat McAfee Show" and "College GameDay" on campus, and Ferentz joined McAfee before a critical week-five game against Ohio State. Ferentz was very emotional speaking with University of Iowa graduate and analyst Ty Schmit, who was equally emotional, and Ferentz reflected on his Iowa tenure. He admitted that he never wanted to be a head coach and was perfectly happy as an offensive line coach. He said he might still go back to being an OL coach as a "retirement job," but only one program could have pulled him out of the NFL and away from his dream job.
Ferentz admitted that when Iowa called, he didn't know what to expect long-term, especially after struggling in his first two seasons. It is a credit to both the university and Ferentz for sticking with it, and Ferentz has rewarded the program's faith with numerous special moments. Ferentz has put Iowa on the map, becoming the Big Ten's all-time wins leader (213 and counting), winning 11 bowl games, two Big Ten championships (2002, 2004), three Big Ten West Division championships (2015, 2021, 2023), earning the Big Ten Coach of the Year four times (2002, 2004, 2009, 2015), and sending over 220 players to the NFL.
Ferentz has done more for the University of Iowa Football program than most other people, and is one of the reasons many people know about Iowa Football. It is strange to think it might never have happened if the university had not taken a chance on him at the turn of the century, and he was perfectly fine with that. Regardless of whether Ferentz wanted to be a head coach, he has been a godsend for the program, and no one would have it any other way.
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