Kirk Ferentz

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Kirk James Ferentz (born August 1, 1955) is an American football coach.

He is the head football coach at the University of Iowa, a position he has held since the 1999 season.

From 1990 to 1992, Ferentz was the head football coach at the University of Maine, where he had a record of 12-21.

He has also served as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL).

Ferentz played college football as a linebacker at the University of Connecticut from 1974 to 1976.

He is currently the longest tenured FBS coach with one program, and as of September 2018, is the all-time wins leader at Iowa.

Personal life

Ferentz and his wife, Mary, have five children: Brian, Kelly, Joanne, James, and Steven. Brian was a starting offensive lineman on the 2005 Iowa football team, a practice squad player for the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Since the 2012 season, Brian has served as the offensive line coach for Iowa. In January 2017, Brian was named the offensive coordinator. From 2008 – 2011, Brian was a coach for the New England Patriots, including one record-breaking season as Tight Ends Coach. James was a second team All-Big Ten center in 2012. Additionally, James became a Super Bowl Champion with the Denver Broncos following the 2015 season and again following the 2018 season with the New England Patriots. Kelly earned her J.D. and M.H.A. degrees from Iowa in 2010–11 and Joanne earned her bachelor's degree from Iowa in 2010. Steven graduated in 2017 and was a member of the football team he is now an offensive quality control coach with the Miami Dolphins.

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Playing career

Ferentz played high school football at Upper St. Clair High School near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a standout linebacker and fullback while under Joe Moore, the eventual offensive line coach at Pitt and Notre Dame. Ferentz was also a good left-handed pitcher who played baseball. Ferentz committed to playing football at the University of Connecticut in 1973. At Connecticut, he served as a football captain and an academic all-Yankee Conference linebacker. Ferentz was a team football captain and was named the ECAC Division II Defensive Player of the Week after 12 tackles and two fumble recoveries in a win over UMass. Ferentz' pregame address against Boston University fueled the Huskies to their first home win of his senior season. Ferentz was named academic all-conference and received defensive MVP awards. In 1977, he served as a student assistant at Connecticut under head coach Walt Nadzak.

Early coaching career

Ferentz served at Worcester Academy as both defensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 1978 to 1979. Ferentz worked under Worcester head coach Ken O'Keefe and alongside offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, as well as coaching Joe Philbin, among others. Ferentz was a student at Worcestershire University and coached the girls' basketball team.

Ferentz, a Worcester graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh, spent the 1980-1980s as a graduate assistant, assisting his high school coach Joe Moore with the offensive line. The 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team, directed by Jackie Sherrill, finished with an 11-1 record and a number two national ranking. Many future NFL Hall of Famers and All-Americans were among the Panthers' roster members, including quarterback Dan Marino and offensive linemen Jim Covert, Mark May, and Russ Grimm.

Ferentz joined Hayden Fry's staff at the University of Iowa, coaching the Hawkeyes' offensive line from 1981 to 1989. Ferentz served under Fry and offensive coordinator Bill Snyder, as well as assistant coaches Barry Alvarez, Dan McCarney, and Don Patterson. The Hawkeyes' first winning season since 1961 and their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1958, Ferentz's first season. In Ferentz's time as an Iowa assistant, the Hawkeyes would win the Big Ten again in 1985, winning the No. 8 trophy. For the first time in five weeks, there has been a national rank. Ferentz was an Iowa assistant on eight bowl games, two Rose Bowl appearances and two Holiday Bowl appearances.

Ferentz, Eleven Hawkeyes, was the first Hawkeyes to play in the National Football League (NFL). Three of them were first round picks in the NFL draft, and five of his players were first team All-Big Ten Conference picks. Six of those players appeared in more than 100 games in the NFL: offensive guards Ron Hallstrom, Mark Bortz, and Bob Kratch tackled Brett Miller and John Altman, center Joel Hilgenberg. Guard Mike Haight played in 63 games as well. As will center Mike Devlin in 1992, Tackle Dave Croston was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1986.

Ferentz returned to New England in 1990 to serve as the head coach at the University of Maine, after nine years at Iowa, replacing Tom Lichtenberg. Ferentz, who had initially offered Tom O'Brien the job, was given a $3,000 salary cut to become the head coach of the Black Bears. Maine finished seventh in the Yankee Conference (D1-AA), finishing 3-8 overall and 2–6 in conference play both years. Ferentz lost his first five games as head coach in 1990, but he bounced back to victory three of his final six against Rhode Island, Delaware, and Northeastern. Maine defeated Ferentz's alma mater Connecticut 41-20 in 1991.

The Black Bears improved to 6–5 overall and 4–4 in conference play in 1992. The Bears defeated No. 10 in their first two games against New Hampshire and Kutztown on November 14. In what would be Ferentz's last victory at Maine, the 16 UMass at McGuirk Stadium. In the Yankee Conference, Maine finished fifth. Dan Jones, an offensive tackle, was undrafted in the 1993 NFL Draft but the Cincinnati Bengals would go on to play 34 games.

Ferentz led the Black Bears to a record of 12-21 in three seasons. In 2018, Ferentz wrote, "The good news is in Maine, and nobody knows the mistakes I made." At that time, they were more interested in hunting season." Ferentz was hired by offensive coordinator and Maine shamnus Jack Cosgrove, who would head the Black Bears for 23 seasons, winning three conference championships and compiling a 137–153 record.

Ferentz received a call from the NFL's Cleveland Browns inviting him to audition for their open offensive line job while on a recruiting trip in January 1993. Despite Ferentz's fact that he had never worked with Bill Belichick, Belichick wanted Ferentz for the job and hired him before the 1993 season. Ferentz and Belichick met together in Cleveland for three seasons, winning the playoffs in 1994. Orlando Brown, the undrafted free agent, joined the team in 1993 and immediately became a regular starter at tackle under Ferentz's direction. Nick Saban, the defensive coordinator on the team, was named Belichick; Belichick, Ferentz, and Ferentz would become close friends. Pat Hill, the assistant offensive line coach in Cleveland, was the assistant offensive line coach.

Belichick was fired after the 1995 season, and a week after Browns owner Art Modell's decision to move the franchise to Baltimore was announced, he was fired. Ferentz, the Browns' player and some of the Browns' remaining staff, were sent to Baltimore before the 1996 season. Ferentz was appointed assistant head coach in addition to his offensive line duties. Instead of Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips, new general manager Ozzie Newsome and Ferentz convinced Modell and head coach Ted Marchibroda to select UCLA offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Ogden began his first season as a guard, just barely making the Pro Bowl. "He may have made a few mistakes when he first came to camp as a rookie," Ferentz later said in 2013. Under Ferentz' guidance, Ogden was the first-team 1997 NFL All-Pro and second-team 1998 NFL All-Pro.

Iowa head coaching career

Ferentz was hired as Iowa's 25th head football coach on December 2, 1998, to replace Hayden Fry, who is retiring. Although his 1998 team had finished the season 3–8, Fry, a legendary coach at Iowa, was secretly fighting cancer, with losses in each of their three rivalry games. The search committee selected Florida defensive coordinator and Iowa alumnus Bob Stoops, but Stoops would decline for the Oklahoma position. Assistant coaches Chuck Long and Don Patterson, as well as Kansas head coach Terry Allen were among the candidates considered.

Ferentz retained linebackers coach Bret Bielema, a good recruiter and quarterbacks coach Long, who will leave after the season to join Stoops at Oklahoma, according to Fry's staff. Ken O'Keefe, who had served under Worcester Academy, and former Michigan State and Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Norm Parker were both hired in the same capacity. Both coordinators will continue to work at Iowa until the 2011 season. On the O'Keefe and Parker's recommendations, future NFL coaches Joe Philbin and Ron Aiken were hired as offensive and defensive line coaches, respectively. Chris Doyle, Utah's strength and conditioning coach, was hired in the same capacity.

The team suffered during Ferentz's first two seasons as a result of a depleted roster. The team won one game, a home game against Northern Illinois in 1999, putting forward 174 running yards from sophomore running back Ladell Betts and LeVar Woods' 87-yard return on a blocked NIU field goal attempt. Betts, who is behind a young offensive line, will finish the season as a team co-MVP and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors. Matt Bowen, a defensive back, earned second-team all conference awards, was team co-MVP, and he will be drafted in the 2000 NFL Draft with tightend Austin Wheatley.

Ferentz's Hawkeyes lost their first five games, including at #1 Nebraska, home against in-state rival Iowa State, and #8 Kansas State, coached by Ferentz' former coach Bill Snyder. In Ferentz's first Big Ten conference win over Michigan State, the Hawkeyes snapped a 13-game losing streak, finishing 21–16 behind a rushing touchdown by Betts, a receiving touchdown by Kevin Kasper, and a 90-yard kick return by Kahlil Hill. Iowa will win a double overtime game at Penn State, with a Betts rushing touchdown and Nate Kaeding field goal sealing the victory after three more losses. Iowa defeated #12 Northwestern in their last home game, never trailing in the 27–17 triumph. Ferentz's Hawkeyes finished 3–9 (3–5 in conference play), with Kasper and Woods winning team MVP awards.

The Hawkeyes made their first bowl bid of the Ferentz era in the 2001 season, finishing 7-41 (4–4 in Big Ten play). Betts was rushed for 1,060 yards and ten touchdowns behind the offensive line, whose young players had struggled in the previous seasons, but were now proficient in Ferentz's zone blocking system. Ferentz's first Floyd of Rosedale Trophy, 42–24, was defeated by the team. In Ferentz's first bowl game appearance, the Hawkeyes defeated Texas Tech 19–16. Several players were named first or second-team Big Ten awards, including Betts, offensive linemen Eric Steinbach and David Porter, defensive end Aaron Kampman, and sophomore Bob Sanders, a lightly recruited but hard-hitting safety who was deemed out of high school by his mentor Joe Moore. Betts and Sanders received honors for their teamwork.

Ferentz and the Hawkeyes will both make the 2002 season memorable. The team finished with an 11–1 record in the regular season, finishing as co-conference champions with national champion Ohio State. Both teams ended 8–0 in conference play. The Hawkeye offensive line, which included first-team all-Big Ten members Steinbach, Robert Gallery, Bruce Nelson, and second-team all-conference tackle Porter, opened the way for running back Fred Russell and the Iowa rushing attack. Senior quarterback Brad Banks, receivers Maurice Brown, and C.J. were among the Playmaking skill position players, many of whom were recruited by Bielema. Dallas Clark, a converted linebacker, and Jones are both at the end of the game. On defense, the front seven was highly effective against the Big Ten rushing attacks and consistently pressed opposing passers, shielding the young secondary. Sanders' big hits and playmaking from the safety position aided the defense. Seneca Wallace and the Cyclones came back from a 24–7 halftime deficit to defeat the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium in their first regular season loss. The Hawkeyes won the majority of their regular season games, including an overtime victory over Penn State and a dramatic back-and-forth win over Purdue, in which the dual-thinner and nimble tight end Clark connected twice for crucial touchdowns at Kinnick. Two straight conference victories followed, including a 44–16 victory over Michigan State, in which the Hawkeye defense put a halt to star Spartan receiver Charles Rogers' 14-game touchdown streak. At #8 Michigan, the Hawkeyes won by 34–9 on a road victory, with Sanders' hit and then compelled fumble on a Wolverine punt return sparking 24 unanswered points by the Hawkeyes in the second half. Ferentz's first victory over Wisconsin was followed by Ferentz's first victory over the Hawkeyes, who defeated Wisconsin by 78 yards in a 20–3 victory at home. Iowa claimed at least a partial Big Ten title by compelled six Minnesota turnovers and rush for 365 yards en route to a 45-21 victory in the regular season finale. Iowa won their tenth straight Big Tension, the first time a streak since a 13-game streak in the 1920s. The game was also played at the Metrodome before the game was broadcast to the largest audience ever seen a Minnesota Golden Gophers football game.

In the Heisman Trophy balloting to Carson Palmer of the United StatesC., Quarterback Banks earned the Davey O'Brien Award for best quarterback and finished second. Clark was the tight end of the season's John Mackey Award winner, and placekicker Nate Kaeding was named in the Lou Groza Award winners. Ferentz was named Coach of the Year by the Associated Press for his efforts. In the 2003 Orange Bowl, Iowa lost by 38–17, losing to the United StatesC for the first time ever.

Despite losing several seniors to graduation, the Hawkeyes set a 9–3 record in 2003. In Big Ten play, they were 5-3, losing three road games at #8 Ohio State, Michigan State, and #16 Purdue. Ferentz's first Cy-Hawk win over Iowa State was defeated by Iowa State. On October 4, the Hawkeyes defeated #9 Michigan 30–27 at home. In the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2004, they defeated Florida 37-17 for their first January victory since 1959. At the end of the season, the Hawkeyes secured their #8 national ranking in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. Robert Gallery, an offensive tackle, was the season's Outstanding Outland Trophy winner; the Oakland Raiders selected him with their second overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Norm Parker's defense finished 7th in the country, with 16.2 points per game.

During the 2004 season, Ferentz had to contend with multiple injuries to the Hawkeyes' running backs and John's death. Despite this win over Wisconsin on November 20, the Hawkeyes posted a 9–2 regular season record in which they also shared the Big Ten Conference championship with Michigan. Ferentz and the Hawkeyes defeated Penn State 6–4, Iowa's first victory without a touchdown since 1985, only short of his father's. Ferentz was named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year for the second time in three seasons. The Capital One Bowl defeated LSU and his former coaching buddy Nick Saban 30-25 on January 1, 2005, beating them 30–25. Ferentz' third straight 10-win season with the Hawkeyes and another top-ten national ranking. Defenders Matt Roth, Abdul Hodge, and Sanders made first-team all-Big Tenance, while Jovon Johnson, Chad Greenway, and Howard Hodges received second-team accolades.

During the 2005 regular season, the Hawkeyes went 7-4. They won their second trip to the Outback Bowl on January 2, 2006 after early-season losses to Iowa State and Ohio State, as close losses to Michigan and Northwestern. This time, the Gators also felt a degree of revenge for their loss two years ago as the Hawkeyes defeated Florida 31-24. Much was said about the officiating in this game, as there were 13 missing or bad calls made against the Hawkeyes that directly affected the outcome. Officials admitted their mistake in the game-deciding onside kick call, and that several other calls were also under scrutiny. Chad Greenway, a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, was chosen by the Vikings in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

Iowa started the 2006 season off strong, winning their first four games before losing to top-ranked Ohio State. The Hawkeyes went down the stretch after getting off to a 5-1 start, losing five of their last six games. Iowa lost both Northwestern and Indiana, as well as losing rivalry games with Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Hawkeyes posted a 6–6 record in the regular season and were given an invitation to the 2006 Alamo Bowl, Iowa's sixth straight bowl game. Texas, Iowa, the Alamo Bowl fell by a score of 26–24, going from nine-point underdogs to defending national champions.

Ferentz' Hawkeyes started 2–4 and lost their first three conference games. Jake Christensen, a top-ranked quarterback, had trouble finding the new Tate. The Hawkeyes won their last three conference games, ending a nine-game losing streak for Iowa. Nevertheless, the Hawkeyes' season record to 6–6 was shattered in the season's finale to Western Michigan. Despite being bowl-eligible, the Hawkeyes did not receive a bowl bid, snapping Iowa's string of six consecutive bowl appearances. Several key Hawkeye players were arrested and suspended from the scheme for stealing and misdemeanor drug possession during the summer. In November, two Hawkeye players were arrested by a female swimmer in a high-profile sexual lawsuit.

Ferentz and the Hawkeyes began strong in 2008 with victories over Maine, Florida International, and rival Iowa State, but close losses to Pitt, Northwestern, and Michigan State left Iowa with a 3-3 record. Ferentz flipped between Christensen and sophomore Ricky Stanzi at quarterback before deciding on Stanzi mid-season. Iowa defeated five of their next six games, led by a 24–23 loss to #3 ranked and undefeated Penn State on a last-second field goal. Iowa accepted an invitation to the Outback Bowl, beating the South Carolina Gamecocks 31-10. Running back Shonn Greene received the Doak Walker Award for his vastly improved offensive line, including All-American guard Seth Olsen, senior center Rob Bruggeman, and young tackle Bryan Bulaga.

The 2009 Hawkeye football team got off to the best start in school history up to this point. After a 7-0 start, Narrow home victories over Northern Iowa and Arkansas State, as well as double-digit road victories over #5 Penn State and Wisconsin gave the offence. Ferentz' 2009 Hawks won eight games to begin a season by defeating Michigan State, 15-13, with a touchdown pass on the last play of the game from Stanzi to Marvin McNutt. The Hawks lost quarterback Stanzi to injury in an upset loss to Northwestern after defeating Indiana to run their record to 9-0. In overtime, Iowa lost the de facto Big Ten championship game against Ohio State 27-24. The Hawkeyes qualified to their second BCS bowl game under Ferentz after being invited to the 2010 Orange Bowl, shutting down Minnesota, 12–0. Stanzi returned and Iowa defeated Georgia Tech 24-14 for their first BCS bowl victory and first BCS-level bowl since the 1959 Rose Bowl. Iowa set an 11–2 record for victories in a season, while the Hawkeyes ranked #7 in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll, their highest finish since the 1960 season. In the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Tackle Bulaga was selected by the Green Bay Packers.

Pre-season hopes were high in 2010 ahead of a disappointing 8–5 season. Stanzi, McNutt, Adrian Clayborn, Tyler Sash, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, and Karl Klug were ranked 9 in the AP poll, with returning key players Stanzi, McNutt, Adrian Clayborn, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, and Karl Klug ranking the Hawkeyes to begin the season. WIN twice before losing at #24 Arizona, which was the lowest in the United States. The Hawkeyes defeated two ranked conference opponents, #22 Penn State and #5 Michigan State, before losing their final three regular season games. In the 2010 Insight Bowl, Ferentz and the Hawkeyes defeated the 14th-ranked Missouri Tigers. In the 2011 NFL Draft, six Hawkeyes were selected, including the All-American Clayborn in the first round.

The 2011 Hawkeyes defeated Michigan 24-16, but they lost to unranked rivals Minnesota and Iowa State, who were ranked 7-6 (4–4 Big Ten). In the fourth quarter, the Hawkeyes overcame a 17-point deficit against Pitt. Riley Reiff, the Detroit Lions' first round offensive tackle, was selected in the first round, this time by the Detroit Lions in the 2012 NFL Draft. In the 2011 Insight Bowl, the Hawkeyes lost to Oklahoma, coached by Hawkeye alum Bob Stoops.

Following a workout conducted by strength coach Chris Doyle, thirteen football players ended up in University Hospital with serious cases of rhabdomyolysis in the 2011 offseason. Gary Barta and Iowa attempted to keep it under wraps by releasing a press release and state that no further information will be forthcoming. Barta, head coach Ferentz, and Doyle were unable to attend after a national examination, but instead they let a parent of an injured player and a university doctor answer questions. Ferentz named Doyle the "Assistant Coach of the Year" award, an honour that had never been given before or in the ten years after. One of the injured players later filed a lawsuit and settled for about $15,000.

Norm Parker and Ken O'Keefe, long-serving coordinators, resigned after the 2011 season. Parker retired, and O'Keefe joined former Ferentz assistant Joe Philbin's Miami Dolphins staff. Ferentz recruited Greg Davis, a former Texas offensive coordinator, to lead the offense and sent longtime defensive backs coach Phil Parker to lead the defense. Brian Ferentz was hired as Kirk Ferentz's offensive line coach, while Reese Morgan, a long-serving offensive line coach, began coaching the defensive line. LeVar Woods, a former Ferentz administrative assistant, was promoted to linebackers coach.

Both directions of the football team suffered in the 2012 Iowa season. The Davis team struggled to blend his spread theories with Ferentz's pro-style approach in the first year. In 2012, quarterback James Vandenberg's output dropped from 25 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions. In conference play, Iowa went 4–8, 2–6, and 2–6. Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal, both started throwing against Penn State, and the Hawkeyes missed their final six games. Ferentz's second season in 2000, with a 4-8 record.

The rushing attack and defense both improved in 2013 and the Hawkeyes' record to 8–5. Brett van Sloten, guard Donnal, center Austin Blythe, and tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz opened the way for Mark Weisman, a former fullback. Christian Kirksey, Anthony Hitchens, and James Morris, who under new position coach Jim Reid, led the team to their sixth-best in the country in total defense.

Ferentz's Hawkeyes finished 7–6, 4–4 in Big Ten play but lost all four rivalry games. C.J. has two quarterbacks. The Hawkeyes' Beathard and Jake Rudock began playing. Ferentz named Beathard the starter for 2015 and Rudock's to Michigan under new coach Jim Harbaugh after a humiliating loss to Tennessee in the Taxslayer Bowl. Brandon Scherff, the second Iowa winner under Ferentz, was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

The 2015 season was one of the best in university history. Iowa went undefeated in the regular season and won 12 games, the most in school history. In addition, a team that went 0-4 in trophy games the year before won the Big Ten Conference West championship, the first in school history. Ferentz was named Big Ten coach of the year for the fourth time while at Iowa. Desmond King, a defensive back for the first time, was named first-team All-American honors and received the Jim Thorpe Award. In the 2015 Big Ten Football Championship Game against Michigan State, the Hawkeyes defeated the Hawkeyes 16-13-13. Despite the loss, the Hawkeyes accepted an invitation to the 2016 Rose Bowl, Ferentz' third Rose Bowl with Iowa, first as head coach, and first for the Hawkeyes in 25 years. The Hawkeyes were throttled, 45–16, by a Christian McCaffrey-led Stanford crew in the Rose Bowl. The Hawkeyes dropped to 0–4 after their last victory in 1959, with a combined score of 164–78.

Iowa started the season ranked 17 in 2016, but lost in their third game to FCS North Dakota State. Keith Duncan's last-second field goal sparked other losses, culminating in an upset of #3 Michigan. The Hawkeyes closed their Big Tension season by defeating #17 Nebraska 40–10. Iowa has an 8–4 record in regular season. The Joe Moore Award was given to Iowa's offensive line. Moore, a lifelong mentor to Ferentz, was a recipient of the East St. Clair award for his lifetime. Iowa was selected to play in the Outback Bowl for the fifth time under Ferentz, who lost to the Florida Gators 31-33. Following the loss to the Gators, the Hawkeyes dropped to 0–5 in their last five bowl games, being outscored 171–75 in those competitions.

Greg Davis, the offensive coordinator, retired after the 2016 season and was joined by offensive line coach Brian Ferentz, Kirk's uncle. Tim Polasek was hired as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator by North Dakota State, while Kelvin Bell was hired as assistant defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. Ken O'Keefe has returned to serve as the quarterback's coach.

Similar to 2016, the 2017 season saw similar success to 2016. Iowa got off to a good start, but there were some injuries that day. The team was undefeated in non-conference play, and only two of the team's Big Ten losses were decided by a single point (38-14 versus Wisconsin, 24-15 vs. Purdue). Iowa went 3–1 in trophy games and ended with eight wins, much like the previous season. They defeated #3 Ohio State by 5 points in a 55–24 victory on November 4, exploding for 55 points. Iowa was the 15th bowl under Ferentz in the Pinstripe Bowl. The Hawkeyes dominated the second half and won their first bowl game since 2010. Hayden Fry dominated Iowa's career victories (143), a record that has surpassed his number of bowl titles at the university. Cornerback Josh Jackson earned the Jack Tatum Award and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award on first-team and first-team. Josey Jewell, a linebacker from the United States, was also named first-team All-American, and received the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Jack Lambert Award.

The Hawkeyes lost six straight Big Ten Conference games last season, but there were some close ones in Indianapolis that cost them another trip to Indianapolis. Iowa got off to a promising start in its three non-conference games, and the three competition trophies in Iowa City were a success. However, the season would be defined by losses to Penn State, Purdue, and Northwestern in a row. Iowa won for the sixth time in the Outback Bowl, defeating Mississippi State 27-22 for Ferentz's fifth January bowl victory and eighth overall bowl victory. T.J. Hockenson received the Mackey Award for the nation's best tight end, and safety Amani Hooker received the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award.

Ferentz's 2019 was another fruitful season at Iowa. The Hawkeyes got off to a 4–0 start and went undefeated against non-conference opponents. After back-to-back losses against Big Ten powerhouses Michigan and Penn State, it seemed that the team might be missing this season. Iowa rallied, winning five of their last six games, but a loss to archrival Wisconsin meant that a Big Ten West division title would have been eluded. The Hawkeyes defeated the United StatesC. in the 2019 Holiday Bowl. In the first match-up between the Trojans and Hawkeyes since the 2003 Orange Bowl, Iowa defeated USC 49-24 in a shootout. For the sixth time under Ferentz, the program gained ten wins. The team was also able to make a distinction that hadn't been done since 1991, and they both started and finished the season in the top 25 national rankings without falling out. In the 2020 NFL Draft, Tackle Tristan Wirfs finished 13th overall.

Ferentz placed strength coach Chris Doyle on paid administrative leave after a number of former players identified Doyle and Brian Ferentz as contributing to a program culture that was hostile to black student-athletes. Doyle was fired from the service after a 21-year stay in June. ESPN published an article on July 27, 2020 citing instances of racial inequities levied against black players during Ferentz's tenure as a head coach. In a news conference in early June, Ferentz said, "I did ask multiple people if they feel like I'm part of the issue or if they feel like we can't move forward with me here." "I've not heard anything I've heard so far." My contribution is directed toward improving the environment and having a positive program.

The squad won six games and went 3–0 in trophy competitions in the COVID-shorted 2020 season, defeating Wisconsin for the first time since 2015. On December 18, 2020, Ferentz was positive for COVID-19. The Hawkeyes had been scheduled to play in the Music City Bowl for the first time since ten years in the 2010 Insight Bowl. However, the game was postponed three days before the match due to viruses.

Iowa's 2021 season was their most memorable year. After getting off to a 6–0 start and defeating #3 Penn State in Kinnick Stadium, the team has climbed to a #2 ranking. Two lopsided losses were subsequently, but it was not the first. The Hawkeyes captured their last four games, and their second Big Ten West Division title was earned in Minnesota after a dramatic win over Wisconsin. Iowa lost in the Big Ten Championship game to Michigan, defeating them at 10-3, the 18th bowl under Ferentz.

Ferentz won Iowa by a double-overtime win over the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing on October 13, 2012. (144) With a win over Northern Illinois on September 1, 2018, he became the first school leader in history (144), and Iowa has won 17 bowl games, more bowls than any other Iowa coach. Ferentz won his first Iowa victory of his career on November 17, 2018, defeating Big Ten foe Illinois. When Joe Paterno was fired from Penn State in 2011, Ferentz became the dean of Big Ten football coaches in the respective sport, becoming the longest tenured coach in the respective sport. Ferentz tied for the longest tenured head coach at the FBS level with Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer's departure after the 2015 season. Ferentz was the longest-serving coach with Bob Stoops' sudden departure in June 2017.

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