Iowa Hawkeyes HC Kirk Ferentz Receives Head-Turning 2025 Honor

The Iowa Hawkeyes and head coach Kirk Ferentz did not have the kind of season they were hoping for in 2024. When all was said and done, Iowa finished the year with an 8-5 record and a 6-3 record in Big Ten play.

During the offseason, the Hawkeyes lost some key pieces. Kaleb Johnson, the star running back who carried the offense last season, left for the NFL draft. Jay Higgins, the main leader for the defense, is also now playing in the NFL.

Ferentz may have lost some key players, but he took an aggressive approach to fixing the biggest need Iowa had.

Last year, the quarterback play was a major weakness for the Hawkeyes. Cade McNamara was the best and most productive option on the roster and he completed just 60.5% of his passes for 1,017 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions.

In the transfer portal, Ferentz added Mark Gronowski and Hank Brown. Both players offer potential for the 2025 season and the future.

Ahead of the upcoming campaign, Ferentz received a head-turning take from Paul Myerberg of USA Today. He was ranked as the No. 3 head coach in the Big Ten, ahead of Oregon's Dan Lanning who was No. 4. Ferentz was ranked behind Ryan Day at No. 1 and James Franklin at No. 2.

"Ferentz is the longest-tenured coach in the Bowl Subdivision. Iowa has won at least eight games in every non-COVID season since 2015 and has posted a losing record just once since 2006," Myerberg wrote. "While his preferred style of play has its detractors, you can’t argue with the Hawkeyes’ consistent success punching above its weight and annual push for a major bowl."