Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed during a Dec. 3 press conference that he plans to coach the Hawkeyes for a 28th season next year.
Ferentz, 70, was asked if he intends to return in 2026.
“’26? That’s next year, right?” Ferentz quipped. “God, I hope so. I mean, unless you know something I don’t know.”
Wednesday’s press conference was mainly to introduce Iowa 2026 recruiting class. Ferentz was asked what his message is to recruits who inquire about his future as Iowa’s head coach.
“I just tell them the truth. I feel really good,” Ferentz said. “I had no idea what it feels like to be 70, and now I do. However many months it’s been. And it doesn’t feel any different than when I was 60.
“I feel good physically. I’ve got permission from my wife to keep doing this. And it’s what I like doing. I really enjoy doing it. … I don’t envision stopping anytime in the near future. It’s what I do. I don’t golf, and when I did, I stunk. So I don’t see going back to that.”
Ferentz is the winningest coach in Big Ten history with a 212-128 record. The Hawkeyes finished the regular season with an 8-4 record and will learn their bowl destination and opponent on Sunday, Dec. 7.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Will Kirk Ferentz return as Iowa football coach in 2026?
Reporting by Hawk Central staff report, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
