Iowa Hawkeyes fans can breathe to begin the New Year.
It was rung in successfully, thanks to a 34-27 win Wednesday against the Vanderbilt Commodores in Tampa to cap off the season on a high note.
The arguably more important fallout, though, came thanks to Kirk Ferentz's postgame remarks, where he revealed if he'd be returning to Iowa City next fall.
“I do want to go back and set the record straight, because I was asked that question at that press conference, and I said, ‘Yeah, I plan on being back.’ Then all of a sudden it looked like I made a proclamation, I’ll be back,” Ferentz said. “I never made a proclamation, for the record. I did answer the question. Yeah, I’ll be back for next season. I think my sights were a little further down the road than next season, but powers that be will decide that.”
Ferentz said there simply isn't justification for him to leave right now when he is simply happy with where he is.
“I feel great and enjoy what I’m doing,” Ferentz said. “You get to work with the people I work with on a daily basis and our staff — you know, I’m trying to keep our marriage together, too — so I think all those things combined all work out.”
Ferentz became the Big Ten's all-time winningest coach this season, securing his 206th win in a 47-7 triumph against UMass in September.
"I’m thrilled and can’t believe quite frankly my name’s next to that distinction," Ferentz said about win No. 206. "I want to start by saying it’s a real testament to the university and to the program here. I can’t help but go back to when I got here in 1981. Nobody would have ever dreamt any of this was possible. We hadn’t had a winning season in 19 years at that point."
Ferentz said credit shouldn't be thrown only his way.
"There’s no team sport like football," Ferentz said. "There’s so many people involved. I’ve been fortunate to work with so many outstanding coaches through the years. I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors during my time," Ferentz said. "Some were intentional, and others probably didn’t even know they were teaching me things, but just had a lot of great mentors growing up. Started with my parents, and then the family aspect here too, and that’s been special to us."
Looking ahead to next fall, stability will remain paramount in Iowa City.