By: Mike Huesmann
The inevitable has happened, and we now know that Brian Ferentz will not be at Iowa in 2024. Regardless if he had a chance to reach his goals or how truly poor the Hawkeye offense was, the dye has been cast, and a new coach will be calling the plays. I do not anticipate a total system change and a team who becomes pass-happy, but some change is expected. Here are five coaches who Kirk Ferentz may decide to hire for the job.
Tim Polasek
Wyoming, Offensive Coordinator
Polasek spent 4 years as the OL coach in Iowa City before becoming Craig Bohl’s coordinator in Laradise. This hiring checks all the boxes. He’s leading a surging team that has been competitive and scoring, he has a history with Ferentz, and he runs a relatively similar system. This hiring would also placate the boosters and fan base. Right now, he’d be my favorite for the job.
Quote of the game goes to Wyoming OC Tim Polasek:
"Told his quarterbacks, 'Stay simple, do simple well.
You tired of this gameplan yet?
Good. We've got a chance.'" pic.twitter.com/Rip3bSaJxq— hythloday almond (@hythloday1) September 6, 2023
Jim Zebrowski
Kansas, QB Coach
The former QB coach at Northern Illinois and Minnesota with Jerry Kill, he joined up with Leipold at Buffalo and followed him to KU. Zebrowski has tutored both Jalon Daniels and Jason Bean to success for the Jayhawks. He has certainly paid his dues on the path to becoming a P5 offensive coordinator. His Midwest ties and recruiting will be seen as a positive by Ferentz.
Jim Zebrowski, Qb Coach Kansas, discusses "The Rule of Zero." This is a great way to focus on the positives and ease the internal pressure of a QB…
Part of a great bundle of QB Coach resources here from Penn State, Kansas, Arkansas, Syracuse and the LA Rams:… pic.twitter.com/dxTMuLBOJE
— Keith Grabowski 🏈 Coach and Coordinator Network (@CoachKGrabowski) July 21, 2023
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George Barnett
Iowa, OL Coach
An in-house candidate will be considered for the job, and my money would be on Barnett. He has sent multiple OLs to the NFL as a coach and is in his third season under Ferentz. Prior to his time in Iowa City, he was the OL coach at Tulane and Miami (OH). An Illinois native, he is another coach with experience recruiting in the area.
Alex Grinch vs. Brian Ferentz: Who Is Committing The Bigger Coaching Crime? https://t.co/KwOEMXVm1L
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) November 3, 2023
Gino Guidugli
Notre Dame, QB Coach
Gino did a great job as QB coach and later OC in his time at Cincinnati. He coached Desmond Ridder to AAC Player of the Year honors and a trip to the playoff. Initially, he followed Luke Fickell to Wisconsin as TE coach and passing game coordinator, but a month later was offered the QB coach at Notre Dame after Tommy Rees left for Alabama. He has helped Sam Hartman grow this year.
Man of the people #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/TWCPKP556c
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 15, 2023
Willy Korn
Liberty, Co-OC/QB Coach
Korn has been a Jamey Chadwell assistant for a decade. That is a ringing endorsement for anyone. The offenses he has coached have been consistent running and passing, made defenses go into constant conflict, and utilized play-action as well as anyone. Imagining what he could do with the elite TE’s Iowa recruits makes me wake up in a cold sweat.
Liberty Flames offense is rising fellas this was from last week so many other teams had bad offensive performances Liberty will probably be 6th or 5th soon !! 🤠 pic.twitter.com/cHBBAekC9Q
— FlamesWire Malik Willis 6-0 (@WireFlames) October 30, 2023
