Fry's Forecast Fizzled: KF Confirms He Will Be Back in '26.





But, it made this board a lot more interesting over the last few weeks, and it probably drove up page hits multi-fold. So, I am glad he passed along the second-hand information, and that he had the balls to make a prediction from it. Keep up the good work, @Fryowa !
 








Just talked to a buddy, and is friends with the Luke Brewer, the tight end commit from Norwalk, and allegedly KF told he and his family he anticipates being there "at least for the next couple of years" which would be the end of his contract in 2027. Granted it could be a recruiting speech, but I don't see KF going into a kid's home and lying to him or his family.
 


I guess Kirk just really, really, really enjoys coaching because I can't think of any reasonable milestone he has left to achieve.

Sure it would be nice to win an outright Big Ten championship, make it into the playoffs and win a national title, but let's be realistic. In the new Big Ten, Kirk's ceiling is probably a 4th place finish and then make it to the quarterfinals (final 8) of the CFP

As far as overall wins, Kirk is not going to catch Paterno, even if he averages 8 wins a year until he is 90.

As for that elusive overall .600 winning percentage that a coach needs for hall of fame induction, Kirk is barely above .600 right now. All it would take is a 4-8 final season and he would back below .600 again. Of course the hall of fame made an exception for Mike Leach, but Leach was much more entertaining and groundbreaking than Kirk is.

I think somebody had the idea that Kirk should just hang up his head coaching duties and become the assistant OL coach or something like that. Nobody is going to kick Kirk Ferentz out of the building. But in the end, I guess Ferentz has earned the right to go out on his own terms, whatever he decides.
 


guffus said:
I guess Kirk just really, really, really enjoys coaching because I can't think of any reasonable milestone he has left to achieve.

Sure it would be nice to win an outright Big Ten championship, make it into the playoffs and win a national title, but let's be realistic. In the new Big Ten, Kirk's ceiling is probably a 4th place finish and then make it to the quarterfinals (final 8) of the CFP

As far as overall wins, Kirk is not going to catch Paterno, even if he averages 8 wins a year until he is 90.

As for that elusive overall .600 winning percentage that a coach needs for hall of fame induction, Kirk is barely above .600 right now. All it would take is a 4-8 final season and he would back below .600 again. Of course the hall of fame made an exception for Mike Leach, but Leach was much more entertaining and groundbreaking than Kirk is.

I think somebody had the idea that Kirk should just hang up his head coaching duties and become the assistant OL coach or something like that. Nobody is going to kick Kirk Ferentz out of the building. But in the end, I guess Ferentz has earned the right to go out on his own terms, whatever he decides.
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I see no reason to believe next season will be under .500. The schedule lightens up. Yes, we will lose a lot to graduation and early NFL entry, but there is a really good core returning on defense and there are pieces to build around on the offense. We will grab 5 starters/rotation guys out of the portal, and the incoming class is Top 25. KF has adjusted to the new era pretty well for an old fella, and I don't see any reason to believe that the 8-4ish train derails in the next couple years.
 


Appreciate that Fry passed along what he heard, but hard to believe something wasn't lost in translation (at the very least).

May as well float that mystery candidate name for us now.
 


I think recruiting had an uptick this year. Granted with the NIL, you never know, but if he leaves after 2027, this class would be juniors and if they are intact and continue to develop, that doesn't leave the cupboard bare like he inherited.

We piece together an offensive line, we still have quite a few weapons on offense. The defense will have few question marks but I trust that Phil will get his squad ready. I think there is room for optimism.
 


HawkPowerlifter said:
Just talked to a buddy, and is friends with the Luke Brewer, the tight end commit from Norwalk, and allegedly KF told he and his family he anticipates being there "at least for the next couple of years" which would be the end of his contract in 2027. Granted it could be a recruiting speech, but I don't see KF going into a kid's home and lying to him or his family.
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"At least for the next couple of years" will be Kirk's line to every recruit until the day he announces his retirement. There really isn't any other answer he can give.
 


SwirlinLingerie said:
"At least for the next couple of years" will be Kirk's line to every recruit until the day he announces his retirement. There really isn't any other answer he can give.
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Unless he announces a succession plan and coach in waiting. My suspicion is that Beth is not ready to tie her hands and allow KF to choose his successor. I agree with that decision on her part. Now, if Iowa wins 11 games next year, KF may have a bit more say in how this transition occurs.
 




HawkPowerlifter said:
I think recruiting had an uptick this year. Granted with the NIL, you never know, but if he leaves after 2027, this class would be juniors and if they are intact and continue to develop, that doesn't leave the cupboard bare like he inherited.

We piece together an offensive line, we still have quite a few weapons on offense. The defense will have few question marks but I trust that Phil will get his squad ready. I think there is room for optimism.
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We piece together an offensive line,
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That has not gone well in the past.
 


Technically KF could still leave to go to PSU... It's where he's from where he grew up. How hasn't that rumor got started by now? Or maybe it has and I missed it. Seems like every coach in D1 has been tied to it at this point and turned it down. May as well get KF on the record for it haha
 


SCHawkeye2 said:
That has not gone well in the past.
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I will be curious if any of these incoming freshman will see the field. A few look like they could step in. I think there are a couple that are like 6'4 300+. Would love to see this. At minimum, potentially see them as part of the rotation.
 


I believe Kirk mentioned he feels good and plans to be around for the next couple years unless something really wierd happens or something to that affect.

With the state of college football it's possible something weird happens and he says F it and I don't want to deal with it. Chances are probably slim but he left himself an out.
 


Hawkfnntn said:
Technically KF could still leave to go to PSU... It's where he's from where he grew up. How hasn't that rumor got started by now? Or maybe it has and I missed it. Seems like every coach in D1 has been tied to it at this point and turned it down. May as well get KF on the record for it haha
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I was thinking about this earlier in the season....

If Kirk really coaches another 10 or so years now would be the perfect time for him to take the job. He could absolutely right the wrongs that have occurred at Penn State over the years. I'm not saying that him cleaning up their program would alleviate past crimes...just saying I wouldn't see anything of that nature happening on his watch.

Bottom line, KF would be a splash hire for PSU and would clean up their mess in a hurry. Not saying he's a NC hire...just saying that he could fix a lot of the core problems PSU has before they end up like Nebraska.
 


And to clarify, I realize KF has had some issues while at Iowa...I think he has done a great job overall in running a clean program and I think most would agree.
 


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