Ken Ruinard / staff, The Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Paul Finebaum Names Top College Football Coach Who is a 'Total Fraud'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Aug 3, 2025 6:00 PM ET

College football features many great coaches, including the Georgia Bulldogs' Kirby Smart, Ohio State Buckeyes' Ryan Day and Clemson Tigers' Dabo Swinney, among others.

There is one coach who has had an exceptional career spanning over 20 years at his current university: Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz. He has dedicated all 26 years of his head coaching career to Iowa, amassing a record of 204-124. His 204 victories are more than 60 wins ahead of Hayden Fry, who holds the second-highest win total of all time at Iowa. Additionally, Ferentz has led Iowa to eight of its 11 seasons with 10 or more wins.

Despite Ferentz having a successful career, an SEC Network analyst revealed on his "The Paul Finebaum Show" that he is not impressed with Ferentz.

"I don't respect Kirk Ferentz because I think he's a total fraud as an elite coach," Finebaum said. "The guy has done nothing other than being mediocre and pedestrian."

While Finebaum said he believes Ferentz is a fraud, others think the Hawkeyes could surprise some people this season. A significant factor contributing to this optimism is the addition of quarterback Mark Gronowski, who transferred from the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Gronowski is a two-time national champion at the FCS level and won the Walter Payton Award, considered the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

Fox Sports' Joel Klatt said he believes Gronowski will be one of the most impactful quarterback transfers in the country. Over four seasons as a starter, he has thrown for 10,330 yards and 93 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,767 yards and scoring 37 rushing touchdowns.

The Hawkeyes will miss running back Kaleb Johnson, who rushed for 1,537 yards and scored 22 touchdowns last season. Klatt mentioned that Iowa has also lost some key players on defense; however, he highlighted that the team has a history of losing players each year while maintaining a strong defensive performance.

The most significant games for Iowa this season will be against the Iowa State Cyclones on the road and the Indiana Hoosiers at home. Klatt stressed that the Hawkeyes need to win both of these matchups to have a chance at achieving a 10-2 record and a shot at the College Football Playoff.

Iowa will begin the season against the Albany Great Danes at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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