Hawkeye coaches speak after Brian Ferentz news

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - Iowa Hawkeyes football coaches spoke to the media Tuesday afternoon, a day after Iowa announced offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz would leave the team at the end of the current season.

Ferentz is the son of longtime head football coach Kirk Ferentz. He had faced scrutiny since last season for the team’s underperforming offense. Before the 2023 season, the Iowa Athletics Department had tied his contract renewal to the team averaging 25 points per game this season. The Hawkeyes are well short of that mark now, even when including defensive and special teams scores.

Brian Ferentz released a statement saying:

“In that time my singular goal has been to contribute to the football team’s success. As long as I am employed by the University of Iowa my stated goal will not change. My priority will continue to be the well-being of our students and the success of our team.”

The Hawkeyes held the team’s regular news conference at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday with the coaching staff. The team canceled media sessions with players normally held earlier in the day.

On Monday, interim athletic director Beth Goetz announced Brian Ferentz would leave the team at the end of the current season.

“After conversations with head coach Kirk Ferentz, coach Brian Ferentz, and President Wilson, I informed Brian that our intention is for him to be with us through the bowl game, but this is his last season with the program. Making this known today is in the best interest of the program and its loyal fans; it provides clarity during this pivotal time in the schedule,” Goetz said in a statement on Monday.

Kirk Ferentz expressed his displeasure with the timing of the announcement, relaying his desire for those types of decisions to be made in the offseason.

“I would just say my policy has typically been to evaluate everything -- players, coaches, all that -- postseason because in season we have a lot on our plates. That’s kind of been the nature of it, and it’s been that way probably since I got started full-time in ‘81. There’s not enough time in the day. That’s where our focus is.”

When asked how the team will keep their focus in the wake of this announcement, he said, “You move on. You just move on, you block it out. It’s like anything else - if you let it be a distraction it will be.”

You can watch Kirk Feretnz and Beth Goetz’s full press conference below:

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