Kirk Ferentz
Kirk Ferentz
Kirk James Ferentzis an American football coach and former player. He is the head football coach at the University of Iowa, a position he has held since 1999, and is a four-timeBig Ten Coach of the Year, more than any other current coach in the Big Ten. From 1990 to 1992, Ferentz was the head football coach at the University of Maine. He has also served as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens of the National...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth1 August 1955
ballgame choices chose dwell forward front guys happened previous
We had two choices after the ballgame in Chicago. We could dwell on what happened the previous game or previous games, or we could look forward to what was in front of us and try to make something of that opportunity. That's what our guys chose to do.
alive along chance defensive future games good guys learning opportunity rotation
I think he's learning every opportunity out there, not only in games but in practice. Mitch is a tough, high-energy player. I think he really has a good future in that defensive line. That being said, I think we're going to really need to keep our rotation alive just to give the guys a chance to come along the way they need to.
crutch crutches cry encourage gives guys injuries somebody
You just don't have any choice. You can use it as a crutch or you can try to play through it. We try to encourage our guys not to have crutches in any regard. We're accountable for what we do, and injuries are part of the game. You can cry about it or you can keep playing. We try to keep playing, (and) it gives somebody else an opportunity.
challenge guys hero position sure thinking
Now the big challenge probably is to make sure he doesn't feel like he has to do too much, just has to play his position but doesn't have to be the hero every play or every game. We don't want any of our guys thinking that.
becomes everybody games guys picture playing position role strengths weaknesses works
You see guys playing in games and the picture becomes a little more clear. Plus, everybody has a little different role in the backfield and each of the guys we have has some different strengths and weaknesses so we'll try to get them in a position that works for them.
both committed guys luxury shock smith sounds
It sounds like right now they're committed to Troy Smith but it wouldn't shock me to see both in a game. That's a luxury you have when you have two guys like that.
college exciting fans field game hard ought tough
It'd probably be hard to find a college game with better linebackers on the field at one time. It ought to be exciting. Tough on the offenses - but it should really be exciting for the fans to watch.
areas believe chance felt football full hands maybe run talk trying veteran work
Maybe if we were a more veteran football team, or felt like we had a chance to really run the table, maybe you'd talk about things like that. (But) we're not even close. We have so many areas right now we're trying to work on ... Believe me, we have more than our hands full this week.
call confidence defense execute huge takes
That was a huge call and a huge play in the game. You know it takes a lot of courage, a lot of confidence in your defense to make that call, and most important to execute it.
happened
I think once in at least 13 years I can think of. I wasn't out there so I can't tell you if it happened or didn't happen.
opponents special subtle
When you do things that are uncharacteristic, we had to play well on special teams, and we didn't do that. When you do things that are not characteristic, even subtle things, you have to give your opponents a lot of credit.
albert quietly talking
We were talking about that the other day. He has quietly kind of slipped with Albert (Young's) emergence.
ball good line offensive played run surprised veterans year
We were surprised only in the sense that they haven't run the ball this well all year. It was a good strategy. They executed very well. One year ago, the offensive line was very young, but now they are veterans and played like it.
avid coming given good mix names obvious outside people recent sister sports success team throwing thrown usc
We got thrown in the mix because we had recent success and had some names coming back people recognized. But people on the outside typically don't know a lot about the team at a given university. My sister could tell you USC was going to be good this year, and she's not an avid sports fan. After some obvious choices, people are just throwing darts.