Iowa extends coach Ferentz

Feb 21, 2008 - 11:45 PM IOWA CITY, Iowa (Ticker) -- Despite three straight mediocre seasons, Iowa apparently is not ready to give up on coach Kirk Ferentz.

The school on Thursday announced a one-year contract extension for Ferentz, who is entering his 10th season with the Hawkeyes.

Financial terms were not announced for the deal, which will keep Ferentz under contract through 2012. He has a career mark of 61-49 at Iowa, but the Hawkeyes have gone just 19-18 in the last three seasons, including a 6-6 mark in 2007.

"During the past two years, I've had the opportunity to observe, firsthand, Kirk's leadership, coaching expertise and integrity," Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said. "He's a proven winner and he's a proven winner at the University of Iowa."

Early in his career, Ferentz was frequently linked to a number of NFL jobs after guiding the Hawkeyes to a share of the Big Ten Conference title in 2002 and 2004.

Since 2005, however, the Hawkeyes are just 11-13 in Big Ten play.

"I have every confidence in his ability to lead the Hawkeyes into the future," Barta added.