Iowa suspends coach Kirk Ferentz for 2022 recruiting violation

Iowa will be down two coaches in its season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 31. 

Head coach Kirk Ferentz and wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr were suspended one game for a recruiting violation related to quarterback Cade McNamara. 

“I frequently tell our players to abide by the rules, and in this instance, I did not,” Ferentz said in a statement. “In 26 years as a head coach at Iowa — and more than four decades as a coach — this is my first potential Level II NCAA infraction. I made a mistake and would like to apologize to our players, university leadership, and our Hawkeye football fans. I know Coach Budmayr echoes those sentiments.”

The school said the violation occurred in late 2022, and involved improper “communications with a player and his family prior to him entering the transfer portal,” according to the press release. 

“Coach Ferentz and I made the decision to self-impose the penalties, allowing the program to move forward without distraction,” Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz said. “I appreciate the accountability demonstrated and we will continue to fully cooperate with the NCAA through this process.”

McNamara transferred from Michigan to Iowa in December 2022 and served as the Hawkeyes’ starter through the first five games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in late September. 

The Hawkeyes went 10-2 last season before falling to Michigan in the Big Ten championship game.

The 2024 season will be Ferentz’s 26th as Iowa’s head coach, which is the longest tenure in all of college football.

Budmayr has worked for the Hawkeyes since 2022 after serving as the offensive coordinator at Colorado State in 2021. 

Assistant head coach Seth Wallace will serve as Iowa’s leader on the sidelines in Ferentz’s place.