Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz has been at Iowa City since 1999 and is currently the longest tenured head coach in college football. Considering Ferentz’s contract ends in 2025, there was plenty of time to figure out a contract extension if the two sides wanted to keep going together. Apparently there’s no time like the present as Ferentz signed a four-year extension worth $7 million/season to stay at Iowa through the 2029 season.
Ferentz has had a consistently slightly above average career with the Hawkeyes. In 23 seasons as Iowa’s coach, Ferentz has been bowl eligible in 19 of them and ended the season ranked in 10. And it should be noted that Ferentz develops a high number of NFL-caliber players. Conversely, Ferentz has only won the Big Ten Championship twice, with the last taking place in 2004. Iowa made the Big Ten Championship this season but lost 42-3 to Michigan and then lost to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl.
Many had thoughts about the extension.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.
🔗 https://t.co/3tM7Je9Jyq#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/vlSpJ9SDaV
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 14, 2022
Recruiting better than ever. Winning games. Players in the NFL.
Kirk Ferentz deserves the extension.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) January 14, 2022
Absolutely wild that Iowa will have Kirk Ferentz until 2029. He took over in ‘98, when LeBron was 14 years old. When this contract runs out for Ferentz, Bronny James will be 25.
— Damon Amendolara (@DAonCBS) January 14, 2022
Ferentz's new terms set up annual pay of $7 million, of which $6 million is guaranteed in case of termination w/o cause, with Ferentz having no obligation to mitigate and Iowa not entitled to offset from future job income.
So, the buyout, as of Dec. 1, 2022, would be $43 million https://t.co/dSXqexIbD6
— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) January 14, 2022
I just want to outlive Kirk Ferentz’s contract https://t.co/mFHpmACzGU
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) January 14, 2022
Kirk Ferentz can stay at Iowa as long as he wants.
I could not be happier that this man is the head coach of my favorite college football team.
Let me say it again, but a little louder this time for the people in the back:
🗣 I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER!!!#Hawkeyes #InKirkWeTrust https://t.co/7DdnIvxG0t
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) January 14, 2022
You could tell me literally anything was in the Ferentz extension and I would believe you. A deferred account in Antigua. Stock options in case Iowa goes public. A lifetime job for Brian, even after Kirk is gone. Anything
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 14, 2022
Iowa announces a contract extension with Kirk Ferentz that will keep him in Iowa City until the sun expands and swallows the Earth.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) January 14, 2022
The Year 4094 AD. The world, a wilted black husk. The sun burns the sky. All bow before the Executor, a chimeric horror of science. Life itself is outlawed. Kirk Ferentz just got another 10 year deal to coach at [Iowa]
— Chris Perfett (@chrisperfett) January 14, 2022
