Nothing fancy about Kirk Ferentz’s approach to recruiting
IOWA CITY, Iowa – If recruiting ever comes down to which head coach tells the best jokes or is willing to do the most extreme thing to entice a prospect to sign, then Kirk Ferentz is in trouble.
He said as much on Wednesday while addressing the media on national signing day.
The 60-year old Ferentz was asked if he had any stories to share with the media about him doing something out of the ordinary to impress a recruit.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has gained a lot of attention for his recruiting tactics, which included having pro wrestling legend Ric Flair as part of Michigan’s signing day extravaganza on Wednesday. Harbaugh also wanted to have a sleepover with a star kicker recruit from Michigan in hopes of getting him to switch his commitment from Penn State to Michigan.
There also is footage on social media of Alabama coach Nick Saban dancing with a recruit.
“I guess our stuff is really not that dramatic,” Ferentz said. “Personally, I kind of like it that way. It’s kind of like going into a game. I like it if our team is prepared, if they’ve really practiced well and done all they can to put themselves in position.
“And recruiting is kind of the same way. To me, it’s an ongoing process. The work has already started on next year’s class as you know. So it’s kind of a day-by-day thing. And I’m really comfortable with the guys that we signed.”
Iowa signed 24 players on Wednesday from 10 different states and the District of the Columbia. Most of the class was assembled in June when 16 players committed.
Ferentz and his assistants worked long hours to secure the 24 commitments, but they didn’t do anything unusual to sway them. Ferentz was given the nickname "New Kirk" during the 2015 season because he showed a willingness to take more chances and was more aggressive in approach on game day.
But the New Kirk phenomenon only goes so far.
“If I’ve got to stand on my head to get a guy or tell a funny story, we’re in big trouble,” Ferentz said. “Ask any of our players on the team right now.
“So we’re just going to try to stick to the basics and sell what we have here educationally, football-wise, and I think most importantly, the community here. That part is really consistent.”
That part hasn’t changed since Ferentz first came to Iowa in 1981 to coach the offensive line under Hayden Fry. Ferentz held that job through the 1989 season.
“When they come to Iowa City, it’s a really unique experience,” Ferentz said of recruits. “So for us, the biggest part of the battle is getting them here. And once we get them here, I feel like we got a really good chance without any gymnastics, hopefully, because I’m not the most entertaining guy in the world.”
Ferentz was surprised to learn that Saban was seen dancing with a recruit. Saban is known mostly for having a gruff exterior and for always been serious.
“I worked with him for two years,” I’d like to see that,” Ferentz said. “That probably would be interesting.”
Ferentz and Saban worked together as assistant coaches for the Cleveland Browns in the early 1990s.
C.J. Beathard update: Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard should be healthy by the start of spring in late March, Ferentz said Wednesday. Beathard recently had surgery to repair a sports hernia that hindered him throughout the second half of the 2015 season.
"He’s doing well," Ferentz said. "You know, for obvious reasons we were hoping not to have to do surgery, and we knew it was a possibility. And then as the clock started ticking, it looked like the thing to do. So the prudent thing to do, and we’re confident he’ll be ready to go when spring ball starts.
"We’re all eager to see him full speed again. It’s been about four months now, five months, maybe six. I don’t know. So we are anxious to see him full speed."
Drew Ott update: Iowa still is waiting for a decision on Drew Ott’s appeal for a medical hardship. Ferentz expressed optimism on Wednesday, saying he’s heard a couple things recently that might work to Iowa’s advantage.
"I’m a little optimistic right now," Ferentz said. "I’ve learned some things that give me some hope, but we’ll see where it goes."
Ott suffered a season-ending knee injury against Illinois in the sixth game of the 2015 season. He was performing at an all-Big Ten level when the injury occurred. Ott made second-team all-Big Ten as a junior in 2014.
Proud moment: Ferentz became emotional while talking about his son getting to play in the Super Bowl on Sunday as a member of the Denver Broncos.
James Ferentz is a reserve center for the Broncos, who will face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in the Super Bowl. James signed with Denver as a free agent after being released by the Houston Texans.
"It’s a good story, and we’re really proud of him," Kirk Ferentz said of his son, who played at Iowa from 2009-12. "I think everybody here is proud of him. It’s a good story. Yeah, the guy went from treading water here for a year, practice squad, he got cut again this year, he was hoping to make the roster in Houston, didn’t make it, and then two days later got put on the roster up in Denver.
"It’s a good story, he’s sticking with it, chasing your dream a little bit. I was teasing him, I said, ‘he’s gone from a day-to-day contract, now he’s got a week-to-week contract.’ So he’s improved his lot in life. But that is the reality of the NFL. Like all of our guys, not many guys make it to the Pro Bowl. We’ve had plenty, but not many guys go there, and the reality is it’s a temporary profession. But why not chase it, why not go after it? And really happy for him, and the Super Bowl is just the cherry on top."
Kirk Ferentz said he will attend the Super Bowl on Sunday with his family.