Say what you need and get riled up about issues, it gained’t change the truth that Kirk Ferentz is a high faculty soccer head coach in America. He has turned the Iowa Hawkeyes right into a mannequin of consistency, success, and churning out nice males that just about each fan base in America would gladly take if requested.
As doom and gloom as many painted final yr, the Ferentz nonetheless led the Hawkeyes to eight wins and a postseason bowl victory. That’s as many wins or greater than 9 Massive Ten groups posted final yr. Success amongst arguably the perfect convention in faculty soccer in case you ask me.
Together with his work final yr, Ferentz has discovered himself amongst The Athletic’s (paid subscription) high 25 faculty soccer teaching rankings previous to 2023. Ferentz sees himself coming in at No. 22 on the checklist in 2023 after being No. 18 in 2022.
An 8-5 season isn’t dreadful, but it surely felt like such a large number due to the problems hovering over the Hawkeyes surrounding Ferentz retaining his son, Brian, in command of what has been an abysmal offense and watching gifted ability gamers, most notably Charlie Jones, depart Iowa Metropolis for higher conditions. Nonetheless, Ferentz finds and develops expertise in addition to anybody. The 67-year-old is a very, actually good soccer coach, going 43-18 the previous 5 years. – Feldman, The Athletic
Among the many high 25 embrace Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh at No. 4, Penn State’s James Franklin at No. 5, Ohio State’s Ryan Day at No. 6, Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell at No. 11, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule at No. 15, and Illinois’ Bret Bielema at No. 24.
Eyeing down an impending 2023 season that has a way of “make or break” will take a look at Ferentz and his workers as they’ve numerous looming inquiries to reply. They’ve to enhance on offense, they’ve a schedule breaking their means earlier than the realignment begins, they usually have an actual probability to make a run.
So, because it goes, most will rely out Ferentz and the Hawkeyes if issues take one flip south. That’s proper when he does his finest work and will get essentially the most out of his groups.
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