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Ferentz awarded 1-year extension

By Eric Page | 3 comment(s)

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz has been awarded a 1-year extension to his existing contract, director of athletics Gary Barta announced Thursday.

Ferentz’s contract now will run through the 2012 season.

Entering his 10th season leading the Hawkeyes, Ferentz is the Big Ten’s highest paid coach with a annual base salary of $2.84 million. The terms of his contract did not change with the extension.

“During the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to observe firsthand Kirk’s leadership, coaching expertise and his integrity,” Barta said in a statement. “He’s a proven winner, and he’s a proven winner at the University of Iowa. I have every confidence in his ability to lead the Hawk-eyes into the future.”

Ferentz, a two-time Big Ten coach of the year, has a 61-49 record in nine seasons. He led the Hawkeyes to Big Ten championships in 2002 and 2004 and took the team to four straight January bowl games, including the 2003 Orange Bowl.

But the past two seasons, he’s managed only a 12-13 record, including a 6-10 mark in the Big Ten, and Iowa missed a bowl game last season for the first time since 2000, his second year as head coach. The Hawkeyes also have had several run-ins with the law in the past year as a dozen players were arrested 16 times between April and the end of December.

Comments

gadget wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:06 AM:

" Yep. Pretty much just for show and to keep athletic boosters satisfied that the school has confidence in Kirk. The length of the contract means nothing. If he gets things back on track and has a banner season or two they'll renegotiate his contract regardless of how much longer they COULD hold him to his current contract. Likewise, if he becomes a liability to the school, they'll negotiate an "exit strategy" with him. "

David Castro wrote on Feb 22, 2008 5:41 PM:

" I think Gary Barta should have waited to see how the 2008 season turns out before giving Kirk Ferentz an extension of his contract. I hope Kirk Ferentz big ten record by 2012 won't be 24-40. "

jfry wrote on Feb 22, 2008 9:14 AM:

" more of public display of affection if you ask me. i hope he starts earning it. "

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