Iowa Offensive Coordinator Brian Ferentz Will Not Return for 2024-25 Season

(Iowa City, IA) – Iowa Interm Athletic Director Beth Goetz announced that offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz will be out after Iowa finishes their bowl game in the 2023-24 season and will not return. The offensive coordinator is the son of current head coach Brian Ferentz who has been with Iowa for over 24 seasons.

Iowa’s offense has continued to fall in production numbers after Brian has remained as the offensive coordinator. The Hawkeyes are averaging 232.2 yards per game which ranked dead last in Football Bowl Subdivision, and Iowa has averaged just 268 yards per game since 2021, the worst in the FBS at 123rd. Goetz is in charge of Brian Ferentz due to Iowa’s nepotism laws which allows her to make the decision. Goetz said in a statement, “It is not my practice to be involved in assistant coaching decisions and certainly not to make public, such a change during a season. Our priority is to put all our student-athletes in the best position to have both short-term and long-term success both on and off the field.”

The former Iowa athletic director, Gary Barta, originally restructured the deal with Brian, allowing him to remain as offensive coordinator with a cut salary which required Iowa to score 25 points per game to ensure that he could return in 2024. His removal was not an easy decision, as Goetz spoke to both Kirk and Brian Ferentz along with Iowa president Barbara J. Wilson. They spoke on how since he began his role as offensive coordinator in 2017, the numbers have averaged 320.2 yards and 25.3 points per game for the Hawkeyes, which ranked 131st in the FBS.

Iowa’s record does not show that their poor offensive numbers have affected the Hawkeyes as they stand at 6-2 overall and are 3-2 in Big Ten action. Brian Ferentz said to ESPN in a statement, “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 will march on as a program as Iowa takes on Northwestern on the road with a kickoff at 2:30 p.m.

Statement from Interm Athletic Director Beth Goetz

“Anyone who loves Iowa football recognizes both the success and challenges that have brought attention to our program this season. Our struggles on offense coupled with the offensive coordinator’s contract make this a unique situation.

“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.

“It is not my practice to be involved in assistant coaching decisions and certainly not to make public such a change during a season. Our priority is to put all our student-athletes in the best position to have both short-term and long-term success, on and off the field. Our football team has a group of outstanding young men and talented athletes, who at 6-2, have a lot to play for. As a former athlete, I know every opportunity to put on the jersey is a cherished one.

As Hawkeyes, let’s continue to support all our coaches, staff, and student-athletes in their pursuit of a Big Ten Championship and bowl game victory.”

(Information provided by hawkeyesports.com, ESPN, and AP)