The Iowa Football program is no stranger to success under Head Coach Kirk Ferentz. After a slow 4-19 start to his tenure, Ferentz has guided the Hawkeyes to 22 winning seasons, including 12 straight from 2013 to 2024.
During Ferentz's 26 years at the helm of the Hawkeyes, the program has a 204-124 (128-88 Big Ten) record, with 21 bowl game appearances (10 wins).
Ferentz's 204 wins rank No. 2 all-time in the Big Ten, and he has the chance to break the all-time record (205) this season.
Ferentz has been the straw that stirs the drink for the Hawkeyes, but the success of the program is contingent on the performance of the players.
During the Ferentz era, the Hawkeyes have had 18 consensus All-Americans, the most recent being Kaleb Johnson and Jay Higgins in 2024.
The Hawkeyes have also had 32 First Team All-American selections and 13 National Players of the Year.
A critical partner in the All-American nomination process is celebrating its 100th anniversary this season.
The AP All-America team is celebrating 100 years this season. For 100 years, the AP have honored the best in college football with its All-American team.
The beginning of the All-America team nominations was attributed to Walter Camp, known as the "Father of Football."
Camp selected 11 players for his fist All-American team in 1889, with their names appearing in "This Week's Sport" publication. Camp continued selecting All-Americans until he died in 1925.
Initially under Camp, the All-American nominations were about the team, but have evolved to being more about individual star players.
Nearly 2,000 players have been honored with All-American status as the AP All-American teams continue to be the "gold standard."