I would not go so far as to say that Ferentz is a great coach. Over the course of the last 14 years, I have no reason to not think that Ferentz is a good man. I think he is a great teacher and developer of talent, at least on the OL line. He has done good things for University of Iowa.
However to say he is a great coach is a stretch. Ferentz does a poor job of making in game adjustments. He does not recognize game situations and react accordingly (fake punts, onside kicks). He does not adapt to the strength of his players and game plan around them. He is constantly trying to force his system even when it has proven over and over to not work. He consistently loses to inferior teams.
Ferentz is said to be a Belichek disciple. Belichek adjusts and adapts to the strength of his team, so to put them in a position to win. Belichek beats the teams he is supposed to.
A great coach does not lose to Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Minnesota, ISU, and Northwestern on a continual basis. Will it happen on occasion, sure, but not consistently. A great coach knows how to manage the clock. A great coach knows how to run a 2 minute offense. A great coach knows when onside kick or a fake punt is coming. A great coach adapts and makes in game adjustments. KF has proven over and over that he is not able to do this.
So is KF a great coach... NO. Is he a good coach, I would say yes. Has he done good things for Iowa, yes, in the past.
However to say he is a great coach is a stretch. Ferentz does a poor job of making in game adjustments. He does not recognize game situations and react accordingly (fake punts, onside kicks). He does not adapt to the strength of his players and game plan around them. He is constantly trying to force his system even when it has proven over and over to not work. He consistently loses to inferior teams.
Ferentz is said to be a Belichek disciple. Belichek adjusts and adapts to the strength of his team, so to put them in a position to win. Belichek beats the teams he is supposed to.
A great coach does not lose to Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Minnesota, ISU, and Northwestern on a continual basis. Will it happen on occasion, sure, but not consistently. A great coach knows how to manage the clock. A great coach knows how to run a 2 minute offense. A great coach knows when onside kick or a fake punt is coming. A great coach adapts and makes in game adjustments. KF has proven over and over that he is not able to do this.
So is KF a great coach... NO. Is he a good coach, I would say yes. Has he done good things for Iowa, yes, in the past.