MGoBlog is reporting that Kirk Ferentz may be the next head coach at the University of Michigan.
The information comes from an e-mail from a source close to the Michigan Athletic Department. According to the e-mail, the deal Ferentz has accepted the job and an announcement will come within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Ferentz has a 61-49 career record at Iowa, 38-34 in the Big Ten. Since 1999, he has led the Hawkeyes to three ten-win seasons, two shared Big Ten Titles and the 2002 Orange Bowl.
His career may be more accurately looked at in stages.
His start was, to put it bluntly, terrible. From 1999-2000, Iowa had a combined 4-19 record, 3-13 in the Big Ten. They then improved a great deal in 2001, sporting a 7-5 record.
Ferentz’ Iowa teams then had a magnificent run from 2002-2004. The team went 31-7, 20-4 in the Big Ten, over that stretch, winning two Big Ten Titles. They had three straight finishes at #8 in the polls. Ferentz was twice named Big Ten Coach of the Year.
But, the good times did not last as Iowa has stumbled back to mediocrity over the past three seasons. They have had a combined 19-18 record, with a sub-par 11-13.
Discounting 2002-2004, Ferentz has a 30-42 record at Iowa and a 12-21 record during his previous head coaching tenure at Maine.
In June 2006, Ferentz was given the largest coaching contract in the Big Ten at $2.7 million per season.
He had previously been linked with a number of NFL head coaching positions.
Ferentz was born in Michigan. He also had a great working relationship with Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman during her previous relationship at Iowa.
Ferentz does have the reputation as one of the best coaches in College Football. He is a man known for getting the most out of the limited talent at his disposal, the anti-Lloyd Carr if you will. But, Iowa’s uninspired performances the past three seasons have to make one question this decision, if it turns out to be the case.
Michigan, as well as the Big Ten, needs an injection of fresh blood and excitement. The next coach should be one to push the program into the 21st Century and cast the foundation for future success. Ferentz may be an easy choice, but he is not necessarily the best one.
26 November 2007 at 8:39 pm
If I were a Michigan fan, I would probably prefer Les Miles. But if Carr’s involved in the decision-making process — and my understanding is that he is — I don’t think that would happen. I heard rumblings of recruiting wars between the two, and stuff like that doesn’t just go away with a smile and a handshake at an introductory press conference.
27 November 2007 at 12:00 am
Yeah, I know Miles stole a Top 20 recruit a couple years back who verbally committed to Michigan. I also think that Miles made some comment when Carr was first appointed saying he was the wrong man for the job.
That said, Lloyd would always put the program first. If he thought Miles was the best man for the job, then I think he would put his own tiffs with him aside.
27 November 2007 at 3:26 am
GOD FUCKING DAMNIT stop stealing all of our people. First we lose coleman to you, then we lost Skorton to Cornell who was really baller, now, when our program is at it’s suckiest- you want to take the one hope we have left. we’re just a small big ten school with very little to celebrate sports wise- leave us the fuck alone