Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Ferentz Frenzy
Iowa Football coach "Captain" Kirk Ferentz is once again the subject of intense rumor mongering as a number of NFL teams consider him a top candidate to fill newly vacant head coaching slots. This has become an annual occurrence since 2002, when Ferentz came out of nowhere to win coach of the year honors after coaching the Hawkeyes to a 8-0 Big Ten record, only three seasons after taking over an abysmal team that went 1-10. In addition to proving he can coach at the major college level, Ferentz has six years of NFL coaching experience, which apparently makes him particularly attractive to pro franchises.
Despite just last year signing a contract extension that makes Ferentz the highest paid man in Iowa through 2012, he is perceived as recruitable this year, because his son Brian, a three year starter on the Hawkeye offensive line, played his last game on Monday (the abomination known on this site as the Outback Bowl Outrage). But it is hard to separate fact from fiction. Erroneous reports that he has already signed with Green Bay have been denied, and there are conflicting reports over the interest in the Houston Texans.
Hawk Central reports:
Hawkeye fans know their coach is terrific, and would hate to lose him (despite feeling honored that he is in demand). This unsubstantiated talk is unnerving. We will monitor this situation closely.
UPDATE: More from Hawk Central
Just another know nothing blow hard spouting off, IMHO. Let's hope for resolution soon, as we're in the key month of recruiting season and this is not going to help the Hawkeyes close any deals.
Despite just last year signing a contract extension that makes Ferentz the highest paid man in Iowa through 2012, he is perceived as recruitable this year, because his son Brian, a three year starter on the Hawkeye offensive line, played his last game on Monday (the abomination known on this site as the Outback Bowl Outrage). But it is hard to separate fact from fiction. Erroneous reports that he has already signed with Green Bay have been denied, and there are conflicting reports over the interest in the Houston Texans.
Hawk Central reports:
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Houston Texans are considering Iowa Hawkeye football coach Kirk Ferentz for their head coach vacancy.
In a story posted last night on the Chronicle’s Web site, reporter John McClain writes “The Texans also are expected to interview University of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, possibly as early as next week.” No specific source for the information is cited. (Editor: yet another case of anonymous sourcing on a news story of critical importance. This is really crossing the line)
Ferentz told reporters after Iowa’s loss in the Outback Bowl on Monday that he wouldn’t talk about potential NFL jobs, and specifically said he hasn’t been contacted by the Green Bay Packers, one of the teams many in the media have reported are interested in Ferentz.
Hawkeye fans know their coach is terrific, and would hate to lose him (despite feeling honored that he is in demand). This unsubstantiated talk is unnerving. We will monitor this situation closely.
UPDATE: More from Hawk Central
ESPN's John Clayton said Wednesday afternoon that he expects Kirk Ferentz to withdraw his name from consideration for NFL job openings in the next two or day.
But Clayton said the decision would only delay the inevitable.
"You know at some point Kirk is going to find the right NFL job and go," Clayton said in a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon. "I just get the feeling it's probably not going to be at this juncture, but I think what they're doing is his people are trying to get his name out there.
But Clayton said the decision would only delay the inevitable.
"You know at some point Kirk is going to find the right NFL job and go," Clayton said in a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon. "I just get the feeling it's probably not going to be at this juncture, but I think what they're doing is his people are trying to get his name out there.
Just another know nothing blow hard spouting off, IMHO. Let's hope for resolution soon, as we're in the key month of recruiting season and this is not going to help the Hawkeyes close any deals.
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