Kirk Ferentz addresses how Brian Ferentz has transitioned to coaching Iowa quarterbacks

After playing offensive line for his father, Kirk Ferentz, at Iowa, Brian Ferentz had a brief NFL career, which included coaching under Bill Belichick. In 2012, his father brought him on staff at Iowa, where he has held several offensive assistant roles, including acting as the offensive coordinator since 2017.

During the time that Brian Ferentz has served as offensive coordinator, he has also acted as a position coach. Most recently, he has been Iowa’s tight ends coach, but he will be transitioning to quarterbacks coach in 2022. Kirk Ferentz spoke about how that transition is going with reporters.

“He’s done a great job,” Kirk Ferentz said. “I think we have an outstanding staff right now, and selfishly one of the nice things, we have five former players. Means I’m getting old, I guess. We have five former players on our staff.”

“I think he’s made the transition well. He’s worked hard at it. Jon Budmayr joined our staff as an analyst. He’s been a great resource as well as some other people. I think the key component from my vantage point was to have our play caller be coaching our quarterbacks. Just trying to minimize some opportunities for confusion or that type of thing and try to get a little more clarity in what we’re doing. So, so far, so good.”

Kirk Ferentz explained why son Brian received the smallest pay raise

During Big Ten Media Days, Kirk Ferentz was asked about pay raises that were given out to staff during the offseason. In particular, why did Brian Ferentz receive the smallest pay raise, and if it had to do with stagnating offensive production?

“I think he’s compensated really well,” Kirk Ferentz said. “Bottom line, two things. I feel like our staff, the numbers, there’s reasons for everything we do. And we have private conversations regarding that. I feel like the staff salaries reflect levels of experience, contributions to the program.”

Kirk Ferentz also emphasized the importance of compensating his assistants well. He doesn’t want to lose any good coach to something as silly as their salary.

“Most important: make sure our staff is well compensated — I just got done saying I really feel good about our entire staff. If we end up losing a coach, I want it to be for really good reasons. Not because we’re not able to pay them enough.”