All articles tagged with #kirk ferentz
The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Vanderbilt 34-27 in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl, marking their fourth win in this bowl and a significant victory for coach Kirk Ferentz, with standout performances from quarterback Mark Gronowski and tight end D.J. Vonnahme.
After Iowa's narrow 18-16 loss to Oregon, Coach Kirk Ferentz expressed pride in his team's effort, acknowledged the challenges faced, and emphasized the importance of moving forward and learning from the tough defeat, while praising Oregon's talent and coaching.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz became the winningest coach in Big Ten history with his 206th career victory, surpassing Woody Hayes, after Iowa's 47-7 win over UMass. Ferentz, who has been coaching Iowa since 1999, has a distinguished career with numerous bowl appearances and conference successes.
Mark Gronowski's debut as Iowa's quarterback was underwhelming, marked by struggles in passing and early injuries, despite Iowa's 34-7 win over Albany. The game highlighted concerns about Iowa's quarterback stability and injury issues, but also showcased strong performances from the running game and special teams. Coach Kirk Ferentz tied for the most wins in Big Ten history, with a milestone of 205 wins, aiming for his 206th at Iowa State.
Former Auburn quarterback Hank Brown has committed to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes, citing the program's culture and the offensive scheme under coach Kirk Ferentz and offensive coordinator Tim Lester as key factors in his decision. Brown, who has three years of eligibility left, threw for 403 yards and six touchdowns this year. His commitment follows a visit to Iowa, where he was impressed by the team's environment and authenticity.
Iowa Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz reflected on his team's 13-10 victory over Nebraska, emphasizing the importance of finding ways to win despite statistical odds. Ferentz praised his players for their resilience, highlighting key plays like Kaleb Johnson's 72-yard touchdown and Drew Stevens' game-winning 53-yard field goal. The win secured the Heroes Trophy for Iowa and improved their record to 8-4, while Nebraska fell to 6-6. Ferentz also addressed pregame tensions and the significance of overcoming challenges in sports.
The Iowa Hawkeyes secured a dramatic 13-10 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a last-second field goal, marking their sixth Big Ten win by a narrow margin since 2018. Despite being outgained in yards and first downs, Iowa capitalized on minimal penalties, no turnovers, and strong special teams play. Key moments included Kaleb Johnson's 72-yard touchdown and Drew Stevens' decisive 53-yard field goal. Coach Kirk Ferentz emphasized the importance of resilience and strategic play, highlighting the team's ability to win close games.
The Iowa Hawkeyes secured a crucial win against the Maryland Terrapins with a classic performance, despite being down to their fourth-string quarterback. Kaleb Johnson set a new single-season rushing touchdown record, while kicker Drew Stevens was perfect on field goals, contributing significantly to the victory. The defense also stepped up with key interceptions, and the offensive line dominated, allowing Iowa to control the game with their running strategy. This win boosts Iowa's confidence as they prepare for their season finale against Nebraska.
Iowa has hired Tim Lester as their new offensive coordinator, hoping to boost their offense and emerge as a College Football Playoff contender. Lester's track record at Western Michigan shows improvements in offensive performance, particularly in the passing game and wide receiver development. His ability to adapt to different quarterbacks' strengths and put together game plans suited to his personnel provides optimism for Iowa's offensive future, aiming to consistently score 24 points per game to elevate the team's playoff prospects.
Iowa football has hired Tim Lester as its new offensive coordinator, ending a nearly three-month search to replace Brian Ferentz. Lester, the former head coach of Western Michigan, has previous Power Five play-calling experience at Syracuse but was fired after a 5-7 season. He was chosen over Kevin Johns and former Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst, who turned down the job in mid-January. Iowa's offense ranked last in FBS in 2023, and Lester will be tasked with improving their performance.
The University of Iowa's football program had an uneventful signing day, with 21 recruits accepting scholarship offers. Despite the departure of offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz and speculation about head coach Kirk Ferentz's future, the Hawkeyes' roster remained intact. The recruiting director, Tyler Barnes, focused on re-recruiting current players and expects minimal transfer portal activity. The team is transitioning towards dual-threat quarterbacks and has signed a quarterback who can create with his legs. The defensive line quartet and uniquely sized skill-position players offer promise, and there are breakout predictions for certain recruits. Overall, the recruiting class of 2024 looks solid for Iowa football.
Rumors suggest that Scott Frost, former head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, could potentially become the offensive coordinator at Iowa. Speculation arises about Frost's motivations, compatibility with Kirk Ferentz's coaching style, and the potential impact of pairing Frost's offense with Iowa's defense. Other sports news includes updates on Nebraska's attention turning to QB Dylan Raiola, the addition of offensive tackle Xander Ruggeroli to Nebraska's walk-on class, Quinn Clark's commitment to Nebraska, a Texas EDGE rusher no longer being part of Nebraska's class, the NBA's suspension of Draymond Green, Kyle Shanahan's case for Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey as NFL MVP candidates, and Ben Roethlisberger's criticism of the Pittsburgh Steelers' coaching.
Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz discusses the upcoming Big Ten Championship game against Michigan, providing injury updates and praising wide receiver Kaleb Brown's improvement. Ferentz emphasizes the importance of maturity and unity within the team, acknowledging the challenges faced this season. He also addresses the criticism and lack of love for the program, expressing pride in the team's accomplishments. Ferentz discusses the mental aspect of the game, including building confidence in kicker Drew Stevens. However, he avoids directly addressing the offensive issues plaguing the team.
The firing of Iowa Hawkeyes' offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz by interim athletic director Beth Goetz has raised questions about the timing of the announcement. Despite the team's declining offensive performance, some believe that the decision could have been handled better, especially considering the presence of two former offensive coordinators on the coaching staff who could have served as interim replacements. Head coach Kirk Ferentz expressed dissatisfaction with the timing but did not dispute the outcome. The Hawkeyes now face the challenge of regaining their focus and securing a win against Northwestern.
Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz expressed his disagreement with the midseason announcement of his son Brian Ferentz's removal as offensive coordinator in 2024, stating that end-of-season evaluations are more appropriate. The decision was made by interim athletic director Beth Goetz following Iowa's poor offensive performance, ranking last in total offense in the Bowl Subdivision. Details of the decision and its timeline were not disclosed. Kirk Ferentz will hire a new offensive coordinator at the end of the season, and his focus is currently on the next four games.