LSAClassOf2000

September 6th, 2016 at 11:20 AM ^

I am guessing that the buyout for this extension IS the state of Iowa. I think that's the natural progression of contracts and raises for Ferentz now. What it means is that they'll have to wait until his is about 143 years old and only able to coach while propped up on a dolly cart wheeled around by a GA before the buyout is only Johnson County and an additional duchy of his choosing. 

Wolverine In Iowa 68

September 6th, 2016 at 2:31 PM ^

for ISU to lose to UNI and then spank Iowa at home.  It's happened more times than the Iowa faithful like to talk about.

ISU hangs their season on beating Iowa (kinda like pre-D'Antoni Sparty).  They could go 1-11, and as long as that 1 was against Iowa, they'd consider it a good season, so they really play out of their asses.  Add in the fact that ISU has beaten Iowa in Kinnick the last 2 times they played there, and it's not outside of the realm of possibility.

stephenrjking

September 6th, 2016 at 11:31 AM ^

I want to say "lol" and I am glad we never got him. But he has, at least, produced good teams and occasionally very good ones. Iowa will never, ever be a perennial national title contender. This is a recognition of reality and a recognition that within that reality Ferentz can periodically produce teams that make major bowl games and play a pivotal role in the conference.

After 2014 I thought he should have been fired. But there's no guarantee they get a guy as good as Ferentz, and ask Minnesota what happens when you fire a guy who is consistently producing winning seasons and making bowl games.

FreddieMercuryHayes

September 6th, 2016 at 11:36 AM ^

He's been coaching at Iowa for 18 years. 5 seasons with double digit wins. 9 seasons with 7 or less wins. He is the model of 'do good enough with a few seasons to not get fired'. I mean it's Iowa's choice, but damn, he makes way to much money for the amount of wins he actually produces. No coach can turn the occasional 11 win season into more money than Ferentz.




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MI Expat NY

September 6th, 2016 at 2:43 PM ^

Still, shitting the bed implies, especially when used in the context of showing that a 12-0 record was a complete fluke, that they were never in the game.  The game was competitive and went down to the last second where they just failed to close the deal.  Choke job? Sure, maybe.  Shitting the bed?  Hardly.  

stephenrjking

September 6th, 2016 at 12:24 PM ^

Averaged over Ferentz's tenure, I think they've been pretty close to what Wisconsin has been. Didn't make the Rose Bowl three times in a row, of course, but they've won a BCS bowl and other significant games.

It's possible for them to be more consistently good, but also possible to be much worse. Having seen the terms of the deal, I think it's way too much. But Iowa has also seen its neighbors in Nebraska flail desperately after letting good-but-not-great coaches go and they've seen more powerful schools like Michigan and Texas trade in old, stale, underachieving coaches for periods of total collapse.

This seems to be a risk-avoidance measure. Consider: if they dismiss Ferentz, who will they get to replace him? Florida, a far more attractive program, got a top guy in Muschamp and he washed out. The jury is still out on McElwain, and they were one of the top two jobs open the year they got him. They could've dumped Ferentz that year, too, but unless they took a risk and got Tom Herman, who else was available that would be better? What coach would be an improvement this year? I don't know of any.

uncle leo

September 6th, 2016 at 12:37 PM ^

Risk built into moving on from Ferentz. If they were averaging 9, 10 wins a year like LC was with Michigan, I would advise against any form of change.

However, Ferentz has been on the very low end of average. He's churned out some sub 500 years and others that were just above. And then on the 5th or 6th year like the rising of some horror monster, he jumps up and goes 11-2. 

In my opinion, there's enough resources and solid football players in Iowa to make them into a consistent winner. Ferentz has honestly held them back with being laughably conservative sometimes. 

It truly reminds me of a slightly "poor man" version of Carr.

jmblue

September 6th, 2016 at 3:43 PM ^

Keep in mind that there's not much of a talent base in Iowa - and they have to share it with Iowa State, at that.  It's really pretty impressive what they've managed to do for the last 35 years.

charblue.

September 6th, 2016 at 2:49 PM ^

one of the most frenzied and rabid in the country. Not sure why Iowa State always seems to beat them at Kinnick. But Iowa fans actually believe that they will get hosed in officiating every week.

Also, I have never seen a team that relies on fundamentals and base offense and defense as a primary gameplan every week no matter who it plays.

The Mad Hatter

September 6th, 2016 at 11:38 AM ^

fans were just bitching about his last contract extension / buyout like 5 mins ago.  

But for the record, I'd have taken Ferentz after Carr instead of what we got.  He might have done well here.  Iowa doesn't get Michigan level talent.

1VaBlue1

September 6th, 2016 at 12:07 PM ^

I railed against Ferentz and Schiano  mentions whenever thier names came up.  I am SOOOO glad we didn't take either.  Even back then, I thought RichRod was a better hire.  His defense scared me, but I liked what he could bring to the offense.  Fast forward to  season 1 and I had a different toon.  But a swing for the fence (if even from a tiny-ass shortstop) was better than more Carr, but less able, when Carr retired.