IOWA CITY, Iowa — Humbled but undeterred, Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz vowed to keep battling despite the Hawkeyes’ lack of offensive achievement through six games.
A reporter mentioned the recent firings of Big Ten assistant coaches and head coaches at the conference’s end. Ferentz was then asked whether he was worried about the job or considering resigning. Ferentz chose fight.
“There’s two options in life in any situation. You can surrender, and if you surrender, then I think the results are pretty much guaranteed,” Ferentz said. “Or you can dig in, you can continue to fight, and you can try to improve and do things better.
“I will always choose (the latter) option. It has been a part of my personal life. I have done it in my professional career. I wouldn’t be able to go home and look my children in the eye if I wasn’t (a fighter).”
During their bye week, when coordinators hold regular news conferences, the Hawkeyes are 3-3 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play. Ferentz’s remarks come on the heels of a 9-6 loss at Illinois and two consecutive defeats. The offense’s performance has led to seismic discontent among Iowa fans, many of whom have called Ferentz’s job status a form of nepotism. Kirk, his father, has coached Hawkeyes since 1999.
Brian Ferentz, who was originally hired in 2012 as an offensive line coach, has been promoted to run-game coordinator in 2015. He has been the offensive coordinator for six years.
“My father is the head coach. I’ve been answering questions about nepotism my entire adult life. None of that is new to me either,” Brian Ferentz said.
