IOWA CITY — Iowa football fans thirsting for significant offensive changes will likely have to wait for at least another year.
Despite leading one of the worst offenses in the country in 2022, offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz said Thursday the offense will “do the same things” in 2023, except “do it better.”
“I’m going to approach my job the same way I’ve approached it for the last 11 seasons,” Ferentz told reporters in his first news conference of 2023. “My job is to help us win football games. We have a tried-and-true method. We know how we win. We know who we are.”
The things Ferentz and Co. did last year on the offensive side of the ball did not work out so well.
The Hawkeyes ranked 130th out of 131 FBS teams in yards per game, 123rd in points per game, 129th in third-down offense and 112th in completion percentage.
Despite Iowa’s defense leading the country in yards per play allowed by a wide margin, the Hawkeyes finished 8-5 — the team’s worst win-loss record since 2017.
Iowa’s offensive woes were not exclusive to 2022. In 2021, Iowa’s offense ranked 121st in yards per game and 99th in points per game.
Patience from fans has whittled as a result of the back-to-back years of offensive dysfunction.
Brian Ferentz’s message to frustrated fans? "I don’t have a message to them.”
Head coach Kirk Ferentz said in December he planned to do a “comprehensive study on everything we’re doing” after the season.
Brian Ferentz said Thursday the offseason evaluation process was “the same as every year,” though.
“There’s a rhythm to the year,” the 40-year-old offensive coordinator said. “As soon as the season ends in December, you’re going back through the tape.”
Ferentz will have the benefit of an influx of talent to work with from the transfer portal as he approaches his seventh season as offensive coordinator.
Quarterbacks Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill, tight end Erick All, wide receiver Seth Anderson and offensive linemen Daijon Parker and Rusty Feth all joined Ferentz’s unit.
McNamara “may get some work” in Saturday’s open practice, but he has not done any 11-on-11 work yet as he recovers from knee surgery, Ferentz said.
“He’s been out there in individual (drills) and 7-on-7 and doing things like that,” Ferentz said. “Certainly been pleased with what we’ve seen and what he’s been able to do.”
Injuries have been a limiting factor for the offense as the Hawkeyes wrap up the spring season.
All, for example, has been “a little bit limited” after his back surgery. The offensive line and wide receiver rooms also have been hit heavily with injuries.
“You can still get quality work,” Ferentz said. “You just can’t get as much. So maybe what we’ve been used to in the past in the spring, you’re probably not seeing the same amount of volume. But the work is quality work.”
Athletics director Gary Barta and Brian Ferentz agreed to a revised contract in February that included a one-year pay cut. If Iowa does not score at least 25 points per game and win at least seven games, Ferentz’s contract will terminate.
But Ferentz said the scoring ultimatum will not alter his playcalling or game-planning.
“The reason I coach here is because I care about this program, and I care about the people in this building,” Ferentz said. “My one responsibility is to help them win football games.”
Given the hypothetical of having a 24-10 lead over Wisconsin in the final minute, Ferentz said he “could care less” about not having 25-plus points.
Whether Iowa would go for a field goal is “probably a better question for the head coach.”
“If this is my last year of being the offensive coordinator at Iowa football, I’m at peace with that,” Ferentz said. “If we’re beating Wisconsin 24-10 with 30 seconds left, you can bet your a-- I’ll be at peace with that.”
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
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