Brian Ferentz Will Not Return as Iowa’s Offensive Coordinator in 2024

The son of Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz will step down after this season.

Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz will not return to his role with the program for the 2024 season, the university confirmed Monday afternoon.

Ferentz, the son of Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz, will remain as the team’s offensive coordinator until the conclusion of the season. He has served in his role since 2017. 

Although he will not return for the ‘24 campaign, Ferentz said his focus remains on the “well-being” of the players.

“For the vast majority of my adult life I have had the privilege to represent the University of Iowa as a football player and coach,” Ferentz told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “I have always considered and will always consider it an honor. 

“In that time, my singular goal has been to contribute to the football team’s success,” he continued. “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.”

Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz fell short of a 25-points-per-game mandate for 2023 :: Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports

Currently, Iowa (6–2, 3–2) ranks No. 118 out of 130 teams in scoring offense, averaging 19.5 points per contest this season. Iowa’s struggles offensively date back to the previous two seasons. In 2022, the Hawkeyes placed 123rd out of 131 FBS teams and sat at 99th out of 130 programs in ’21.

Although Iowa is currently in a four-way tie with Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin in the Big Ten West, the school’s leadership mandated that the Hawkeyes score at least 25 points per game—including in a postseason bowl game—by way of offense, special teams or defense in the ’23 campaign. Iowa has only eclipsed 25 or more points twice this season, with wins against Western Michigan (41–10) and Michigan State (26–16).

Beth Goetz, Iowa’s athletic director, said in a statement that the decision to part ways with Ferentz for ‘24 was in the “best interest” of the program.

“It’s not my practice to be involved in assistant coaching decisions and certainly not to make public such a change during a season,” Goetz said. “Our football team has a group of outstanding young men and talented athletes, who at 6–2, have a lot to play for. 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.”

NEWS: Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz will not return next season.

He will remain for the rest of this season. pic.twitter.com/MAZh43Oq5W

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 30, 2023

Before this season, the university restructured Ferentz’s contract with a $50,000 deduction. However, if the program had met its scoring order from the university–the “Drive to 325”–Iowa would have restored Ferentz’s two-year contract, according to David Eickholt of HawkeyeInsider.

As part of the school’s nepotism policy, Ferentz reported to Goetz, not the head coach.

Iowa is coming off a bye week following a disappointing 12–10 loss to Minnesota on Oct. 21. The Hawkeyes return to action against Northwestern (2–3, 2–1) at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Wrigley Field.