UPDATED: Iowa Offensive Coordinator Brian Ferentz Will Not Return

Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz will not return next season.

Ferentz, 40, joined the Iowa coaching staff in 2012 after working for the New England Patriots for four seasons.

In his first five seasons in Iowa City, Brian Ferentz was the offensive line coach for the Hawkeyes. In 2016, the Iowa offensive line received the Joe Moore Award, given to the Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit in college football. In both 2015 and 2016, he was also Iowa's running game coordinator. The Hawkeyes averaged 181.7 (2015) and 171.8 (2016) yards rushing per game, in those two seasons.

Brian Ferentz became Iowa's offensive coordinator in 2017. Here are Iowa's offensive numbers (per game) since that time:

Passing    Rushing   Total Yards     Points

'17:   189.8         139.2          329.1      28

'18:   226.6         148.4          375.0      31

'19:   228.9         137.6          366.5      25.7

'20:   197.6         171.0          368.6      31.7

'21:   180.1         123.8          303.9      23

'22:   156.7           94.8          251.5      17.7

'23:   116.5          115.9         232.4      19.5

Iowa scored 10 points against Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on October 21. That day, some young Iowa fans wore their want for a new offensive coordinator on their faces, and on their chests.

Monday afternoon, Iowa Interim Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz said in a statement, "Anyone who loves Iowa football recognizes both the success and challenges that have brought attention to our program this season. Our struggles on offense coupled with the offensive coordinator’s contract make this a unique situation.

After conversations with head coach Kirk Ferentz, coach Brian Ferentz and President Wilson, I informed Brian that our intention is for him to be with us through the bowl game, but this is his last season with the program. Making this known today is in the best interest of the program and its loyal fans; it provides clarity during this pivotal time in the schedule.

It is not my practice to be involved in assistant coaching decisions and certainly not to make public such a change during a season. Our priority is to put all our student-athletes in the best position to have both short-term and long-term success, on and off the field. Our football team has a group of outstanding young men and talented athletes, who at 6-2, have a lot to play for. As a former athlete, I know every opportunity to put on the jersey is a cherished one.

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."

The Iowa special teams and defense are among the best in the nation in 2024. Its offense has been woeful and a change is not only needed, it's vital. Beth Goetz gets it. Can we remove the "interim" tag from her title now?

Iowa punter Tory Taylor has punted 54 times this year. That's more than anyone in FBS. Incredibly, he has only two touchbacks, 23 punts of over 50 yards (six over 60), and 21 of his 54 punts have been downed inside the 20 (nine of them inside the 10 and six more inside the five).

Iowa's defense is 20th in the nation in total defense, having been on the field for 602 snaps in eight games. Of the 19 teams above them, every team has been on the field for at least 36 fewer snaps. The Iowa defense is tied for fourth nationally, giving up 4.18 yards per play. The Iowa defense is third in the nation in touchdowns allowed, with only ten. Four of those came in the Penn State game.

Those two units need help. Will a change in Iowa's offensive coordinator be the only change needed? I don't believe so. UCLA, USC, Washington, and Oregon are all on their way. They're 13th, 11th, 5th, and 2nd nationally in total yards this season. While the Pac-10 doesn't have Big 10 defenses, you could certainly make the argument that the Big 10 doesn't have too many Pac-10 offenses. There certainly isn't one in Iowa City right now.