10 minutes with Iowa's Kirk Ferentz on son Brian's removal as offensive coordinator

[@willywilkins7494]

Kirk himself needs to reconsider his offensive strategy. He needs to join this century!

[@joshstadtlander2206]

Amen!!!!

[@Passenger_2mars]

He’s too stubborn

[@steveg2448]

Beth had no choice. Kirk would have done his evaluation and not changed a thing. That is what he always does. Not in control anymore and too stubbotn

[@ddb12345]

Fire the guy at the podium. He is the one who won't let an OC be an OC. He is the problem.

[@ddb12345]

In the last 2 years, Iowa has scored 30+ points only two times. W. Michigan this year, Northwestern last year. 2 times over 30 the past two years. And you are firing the OC? Are you crazy?

[@allenparker7142]

If Kirk learned anything from Bill Belichick it is how to hold a press conference and talk for 30 minutes without saying anything of value. He can do that with the smug assurance of a guy with six years to go on a $7 million dollar (or thereabouts) per year contract, nobody with the guts to fire him, and a fan base that feels it is the best they can expect.

[@slickone9135]

Last year Bobby Stoops(a beloved Hawkeye) trolled BF. This is how bad it was last year. And nothing changed. And here we are this year in an even worse situation. And some are pissed about BF being let go. Iowa has been at the bottom for the past 2 years in you know what and passionate fans who want better are the bad guys and gals???

[@tlwatts88]

It's About Time! Now Hire Chuck Long OC...

[@maxeggleston4710]

Good job Beth - painful but needed to happen. Kirk is a good man but has proven over and over again that he cannot objectively assess his son's performance.

[@danrose3233]

Totally disagree. She should allow KF to make the decision and if he wants to do so at the end of the season that is when it should have occurred. No new HC (which is what every AD wants) with and decent credentials will walk into Beth's disfunction.

[@ryantogo8359]

@@danrose3233 ok brian

[@livingforever6157]

Why would he fire him during the season, when they're winning? It's a distraction. Kirk is a good coach, and competent enough to evaluate brian, with the other stakeholders at the end of the season. This move by the administration, and the stakeholders is trying to nudge kirk out the door. I don't think he'll take the bait. He wins 3 out of 4 games, and they'll have no choice but to keep him.

[@kross1261]

It should have been happened a couple years ago. Imo. Kirk sets up his schedule so he makes a decent bowl game but never takes it to the next level. For what he gets paid I think Iowa can do better and needs to have both Ferentz go.

[@darrinlindsey]

Look back at the history of the program and tell me when they've done better than the last 20 years. What's your proof that another coach could do better? No big name coach would ever want the Iowa job. They would actually have to coach the players, instead of being their daddy figure.

[@kross1261]

@@darrinlindsey I’ve heard that BS before that no top notch players or coaches will go to Iowa. Not true they can get there but not with the coaching staff they have now

[@carsonbullerman2979]

How can you not see this coming you had to get 15 yards with a min and half left and couldn’t do it it’s a god awful offense that needs a change

[@WT17789]

This is how a professional handles himself. Excellent composure during a difficult time. His feelings are no one’s business but his own. When did that change into people interrogating a coach or other professional about how they feel? This isn’t reality TV.

[@billybezoni124]

He will not be back but its time for him to move on anyways!

[@REL3712]

Not a fan of Iowa but as a lifelong Nebraska fan, certainly respect them. I know Kirk is part of the old guard and my God, to be HC at the same place for 34 years is astonishing nowadays. Not referring to his answers but it takes courage to stand up there and take all the incoming fire. It was his son who got fired and he didn't learn of the decision until he read the press release. Like him or not, that was unbelievably disrespectful to him, his family, coaches and players. Unfortunately, that seems to be the way that's all too common nowadays. Cowardice leadership IMO. If I were him, this season would be my last. Obviously his 34 years and sacrifice mean nothing to the administrators of this university. Go enjoy life with your family coach. In the end, they are the only ones that matter. Rant over. Signed, Grumpy Old Vet

[@evan1788]

He’s making a few million dollars to coach a game don’t feel bad.

[@REL3712]

@@evan1788 I don't professionally. I do personally. I know the two are not considered in the same breath. I'm just think the man should let it go and move on. From what I can tell, he's lost fan support for years and now apparently doesn't have the support or respect of the University. Save face, enjoy what you've experienced and retire. Damn, they just fired your son without so much as even an email. The writing is on the wall. But a note to Iowa fans, careful what you wish for. Nebraska fired Solich after a 9-3 season, fans were split because of it. He ran the ball too much with an archaic offensive philosophy was the complaint. That resulted in 20+ years of irrevelancy. All styles of offensive & defensive schemes brought nothing but losing (save for Pelini but couldn't win the big one). Now we're right back to what we said we didn't like (run heavy option attack) and we're just starting to win again. Funny how history repeats itself.

[@charlieyellowstone8248]

Not a Husker fan, but much respect to them and their glorious past. And their fan base. FYI, this is Kirk's 25th year at the helm. Started in 1999. He was OL coach for 9 years back in the 80s. Iowa has never recovered from what happened back in 2020 with the racist charges, the firing of Chris Doyle, and the black eye that never went away. Brian was implicated, too, but got off. It has definitely hurt recruitment and it has shown on the field. The OL has been horrible the last 2 years, and if your OL is bad, so will the rest of the offense. That's probably the biggest reason the offense is terrible. The program desperately needs new blood to move on and get better. It's too bad this has all happened, but it did. Kirk needs to retire at the end of the season, and Iowa needs to get a top-notch coach who is a proven winner like Stoops or a Meyer if they want to compete because it's going to be very different with those 4 PAC-10 teams joining next year.

[@REL3712]

@@charlieyellowstone8248 I stand corrected on the number of years as HC. Misundertood his tenure. If it's any indication, as it was at Nebraska (x3) a new AD means a new HC since they want "their own guy." I'm sure a peak behind the curtain will reveal a grand plan is in place to have him move on, one way or the other. One question asked to any future AD candidate will be, would you fire the football HC? Given Ferentz is an older HC, lacks fan support, and has lost respect of the school, his firing (or forced retiring) is a given. Just a matter of time. I wish him and Iowa fans nothing but the best. Firing a HC involves many coaches, staffers, families, etc that don't make $$$MIL annually. It's a tough biz but, such is the nature of college sports nowadays, especially the marquee ones.

[@JmMIowaDuck]

Hopefully this gets the old geazer to leave after the end of the season. We all know he doesn’t want to evolve and he doesn’t have the west division to hide in anymore. Best he leaves now before completely ruins his “legacy”.

[@RobertDetert]

Ahead coach is supposed to be in charge of his coaching staff Not aninterim athletic director .he probably wouldn't have changed anything. It the athletic director wants to change coaches probably should just gire the head coach instead

[@danrose3233]

It was a weak AD decision. She doesn't have the balls to fire Kirk. This was her end around to appease the masses for a little blood. He is clearly pissed. This will not end well for Hawkeye fan. She will have the luxury of having a job until her handpicked successor fails in about 4-5 years then all will see how bad this decision was.

[@calvinwebb7989]

He said he looked up to chuck noll. This is a chuck noll type press conference.

[@dundundun5866]

Best color choice ever for your tie there.😂

[@meowpeep385]

So much coach speak . FIRE HIM!

[@dundundun5866]

Can’t wait to meet you guys last game. 3-2 Skers

[@thomas1644]

3-2 😂😂

[@dundundun5866]

@@thomas1644 the final score. Not our current record to clarify. 🌽

[@JakeLeidahl]

The Iowa program has taken on Coach Kirks conservative personality. We need some emotion and Kirk at his best or some fresh faces. Iowa can be a boring team to root for with no pizzaz at times even tho love them. Best wishes for Brian

[@cletustollery6914]

Damn, I'm old! My student tickets were when Hayden was the coach. After Hayden and Kirk leaves (with enough money to buy Iowa).... who can the Hawks get to fill those shoes?

[@GymRat4Life01]

It will be interesting to see how all the behind the scenes internal politics play out over the coming months. Does Kirk say something to the effect that if Beth Goetz has the interim tag removed then I'm gone. Also, there is the fact that she served as Minnesota's Deputy Athletics Director from 2013-15 and the interim athletics director during the 2015-16 year when Jerry Kill left for health reasons. Seems like there's a little irony in the fact that she makes this call after the Minn game.

[@eagle6754]

Hayden Fry built Iowa football and put Iowa on the map and in the national spotlight and conversations, but in the end he couldn't keep up with the changing face and pace of college football and knew when it was time to hang it up. Kirk built on what Hayden accomplished and did what Hayden could not do which was not quite the Rose Bowl, but Kirk won one of the big three New Year's Day game which was the Orange Bowl. He will always go down in Iowa history as the best, but the game is changing again with the addition of high powered offense Pac-12 teams. If Iowa can't compete with Mich, PSU, and OSU. There is no way Iowa in it's current offensive condition, survive USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Wash. That said, Minn, Wisc, and Neb will get swept up as well.

[@ryansheard8092]

I'm not an Iowa fan but this dude is starting to show that he's like so many other old washed up dudes. He's just angry and entitled. The best thing Iowa could do is fire him. Not let him "retire" but actually fire him just to prove what you've done in the past doesn't matter and we aren't going to let you run the place.

[@mookie449]

His lips were moving but does anyone know what he said? Incredible that Iowa has accepted this level of mediocrity.

[@Loundboyspod]

I hate seeing Kirk like this but what was the options

[@swerne01]

Kirk is obviously not the coach to take the Hawkeyes to the next level. The next level is beating highly ranked teams and winning big games- championship games and bowl games, and contending for a national championship. Being very good in 2 out of 3 phases of the game is not enough to achieve this. You have to be very good in all 3 phases of the game. He has made no progress toward this in a long time and seems very content to beat worse teams than his and have a winning record. That's not improving.

[@folsomflash]

KF put his son first not the team,time for him to retire.

[@danrose3233]

Allow KF to make that decision at the end of the season. This firing at this time is not going to improve the offense. It will only get worse.

[@folsomflash]

@@danrose3233 KF corruption and nepotism needs to be dealt with,he doesn’t own Iowa Football anymore.He needs to take his crying towel and leave.👋👋

[@danrose3233]

@@folsomflash It true then perhaps so. Just be warned the manner in which the AD choses to go about implementing change will have a big impact on future success of the program. Realize there are many ardent supporters of KF. I don't have a bone in the fight as a Husker fan, but I have lived through the problems that I now expect will take place Iowa because of poor leadership decisions. Buckle up, you are in for a long ride.

[@ryantogo8359]

@@danrose3233 ok there brian ferentz burner

[@folsomflash]

@@danrose3233 Your one of those who thinks Iowa will never get a successful coach based solely on Nebraska.I’ll take my chances any day of the week to get rid of Sleepy Kirk Ferentz.I can’t stand the site of him personally.

[@samhansen6320]

We have 2 losses.... How many seasons in the last oh... ...10 have we had more than 3 losses, how many times in the top 15 for rankings, how many times have we lost by more than 2 scores, bowl ineligible, had no chance in a game...... Exactly! New OC, no problem.... but Kirk stays!!

[@danrose3233]

Husker fan here...what will the O/U be for the game on Black Friday...20?! I am truly saddened by how this fiasco has been handled. To me the INTERIM AD made a weak decision to appeal to the masses. This is not how you handle the situation involving an HC like Ferentz--so disrespectful. At first I thought maybe she made this move to save Ferentz from having to fire his own son, but now that I read the details and how he was informed it is clear that she doesn't like to be outshined by a HC who wields more power. This was her shot over the bow and Ferentz is clearly pissed as I would be. I doubt he sticks around after this season and who blames him. Get ready Hawkeye fan for a season of mediocrity. AD Beth thinks she will install her handpicked successor. Trust me as a Husker fan wandering in the wilderness of 2 decades of mediocrity that any good HC candidate will think twice before coming into this mess and on down the line with assistants and talented recruits. It will turn into many seasons of below average performance especially with Pac12 teams coming in.

[@ScottFarris-y7u]

First, you don’t do this mid-season to a team THAT IS TIED FOR A CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP. Iowa just virtually guaranteed Wisconsin wins the west. This stuff happens end of season unless your team is hopelessly out of it. I’d be surprised if Kirk stays and the Iowa may then go into the Nebraska death spiral. Nice shootin’ Texas, you just blew your foot off.

[@nickmoffitt140]

The problem isn't that he can build a competent football team capable of winning games, it's the manner in which Iowa does it. Iowa routinely has had one of, if not the best defense and special teams despite legitimately the absolute worst offense in the country. Promoting his son to lead that offense and keeping his son on when his son created such a dismal offense. If Iowa had a competent offense they very well may be undefeated and in the mix for a conference championship. The bad fair catch call wasn't what lost them the game last week. Or the Iowa state last year, or several others games. Iowa could transform into a top ten team with only a mediocre offense. But as of right now, Kirk has created a culture in which Iowa is a laughingstock nationally because no game is easy, they can legitimately lose the remainder of their games because every seemingly is a toss up. People are tired and sick of Iowa being made fun of on national TV about this offense and it's all because Kirk is complicit and complacent in it. Brian was set up to continue as head coach at Iowa by Kirk without Brian being able to command a mediocre offense. The problems were only going to continue, look at the recruiting, no talented kid wants to come to Iowa from high school or the transfer portal.

[@dillonflynn2419]

Beth messed up is what he’s saying. Obviously Brian was going to be fired but why not wait till after the season

[@ddb12345]

Brian was obviously going to be fired after last year. remember that?

[@Mrgui110tine]

i agree... i think its foolish to fire the guy right now in season when we have a chance to make it to Indianapolis. Like why now? Should have let the guy go last year or wait. This changes nothing.

[@mfinn5146]

Brian is still employed by the University of Iowa. He will still be on the sideline coaching for the remainder of the season and the bowl game. The announcement was made that he will not be returning was done to demonstrate to recruits that the University is not willing to accept the current situation. I also think it was done to generate some fan support for Goetz because she will soon be named fulltime AD.

[@dillonflynn2419]

@@mfinn5146 yeah I mean she’s trying to win a popularity contest. Barta let Kirk do all of the hirings and firings before, he was hands off and now Beth is putting her foot down. All this will do is push Kirk out the door faster. Careful what you wish for

[@johnmcdermott667]

I'm a Kirk Ferentz fan. I think that the fans that have been so vocal about getting Brian fired are a disgrace to Iowa Hawkeye fans.

[@tylerommen5452]

I don’t approve of the “fire Brian” chants or merchandise. But it’s not a disgrace for a fan to note the obvious which is that Brian has not been getting it done. This is a results business and regardless of who his father is; if he performed like this at any other school he would’ve been fired a year ago at the very least. I feel for Kirk and love him as our head coach but this is ultimately on him for putting Brian in this position.

[@SmoothOperator319]

I am a KF fan too but when you ignore blatant issues… it comes back to bite you.

[@nickmoffitt140]

The fans are right, I care about the u of I as much as you. I have been right there chanting fire brian because I refuse to accept that this is the ceiling for Iowa. It's been the obvious thing to do for the past three years and Kirk was unable to tell his son who he made the offensive coordinator that it's not working out. At some point, Kirk is paid handsomely to make decisions in the best interest of the program and has been unable to fulfill those duties. This press conference was a testament to that, love it or hate it, he said he was pissed off about the decision in this press conference because it's not hot he does it. He couldn't do it the past two seasons after the year was over when this thing reared it's ugly head.

[@danrose3233]

Agreed. Make the decision at the end of the season. Nothing will improve things for the remainder of the season with this move.