Because the 2025-26 faculty soccer season is simply across the nook, The Athletic’s Chris Vannini ranked the nation’s prime 25 head coaches of the twenty first century, with Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz making the checklist among the many sport’s elite names.
In response to Vannini’s rankings, Ferentz was named because the No. 22 coach on the checklist. Vaninni shared that the Iowa legend’s consistency is underrated amongst different coaches of his stature.
Ferentz will go Woody Hayes because the winningest coach in Massive Ten historical past with two extra victories. His consistency is underrated, reaching bowl eligibility in 23 of the final 24 seasons with 5 top-10 finishes. The Hawkeyes have had 5 Prime 25 finishes within the final seven seasons however no top-10 finishes since 2015. – Chris Vaninni, The Athletic.
Relating to the accomplishments that allowed the Hawkeyes’ head coach to reside within the No. 22 slot, Vaninni listed Ferentz’s two Massive Ten championships, 5 top-10 finishes, three BCS and New Yr’s Six bowl appearances and eight double-digit-win seasons as proof to assist his rating.
Ferentz took over the top teaching duties in Iowa Metropolis within the 1999 season following the illustrious profession of School Soccer Corridor of Fame coach Hayden Fry, who retired after a 143-89-6 report over 20 years with the Hawkeyes.
Regardless of struggles within the early years of Ferentz’s tenure at Iowa, the Hawkeyes’ program ultimately discovered even floor and has now developed right into a well-respected program that has repeatedly developed NFL-ready expertise 12 months after 12 months.
Ferentz’s current success with the Hawkeyes additionally locations Iowa in an elite group of packages which have recorded at the very least eight wins in every of the final 10 seasons, becoming a member of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Ohio State.
Regarding how different Massive Ten coaches fared within the rankings, 10 of the highest 25 names listed both at present coach or had been previously concerned with a program within the now-18-member Massive Ten convention.
That lists contains, former Oregon and UCLA coach Chip Kelly at No. 24, former Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio at No. 21, present USC coach Lincoln Riley at No. 20, present Penn State coach James Franklin at No. 15, present Ohio State coach Ryan Day at No. 11, former Washington head coach Chris Petersen at No. 10, former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh at No. 8, former Ohio State coaches Jim Tressel and City Meyer listed at No. 7 and No. 2 respectfully, with former USC coach Pete Carroll between the 2 Buckeyes at No. 3.
As a result of current standards alteration for induction into the School Soccer Corridor of Fame, former Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach is eligible for a posthumous entry. Ferentz’s 59.8% all-time win report would make him eligible for instant consideration upon retirement.
With Iowa getting ready for its upcoming 2025-26 season over the summer season, may a very profitable season in Iowa Metropolis represent a better rating for the Hawkeyes’ winningest head coach amongst his friends?
Followers could make that judgment as soon as Iowa’s season begins on Aug. 30, when the Hawkeyes host Albany from Kinnick Stadium at 5 p.m. CT on FS1.
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