By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Brian Ferentz reminded us on Tuesday that he is a master at taking subtle jabs that really aren’t very subtle.

Iowa’s 35-year old offensive coordinator, and son of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, was addressing the fact that his offense will be without starting tackles Alaric Jackson and Tristan Wirfs for the Sept. 1 season opener against Northern Illinois due to both serving one-game suspensions when he delivered a jab that was a gem by Brian's standards.

“We have a situation that is all of our doing,” Brian Ferentz said to the media after practice on Tuesday. “You cannot get out of jail on Thursday and play on Saturday. That’s not how it works here.”

Brian Ferentz didn’t give any more details, but it’s easy to think of some opponents to which his comment might have been directed.

Unlike his father, Brian Ferentz isn’t worried about saying things to the media that could be considered controversial or a cheap shot.

Brian speaks his mind, and sometimes, uses the media to convey a message or to ruffle feathers.

The oldest of Kirk and Mary Ferentz’s five children always has been candid, outspoken and highly emotional.

And Hawkeye fans love it, as I was reminded from the responses on Twitter to Brian’s latest comment.

I was also reminded about how much fans like Brian Ferentz after I had written a column that was critical of his profanity-laced outburst in the press box during halftime of the Minnesota game last season at Kinnick Stadium.

Some fans agreed with my opinion that Brian had crossed the line, but a much larger percentage ripped me for blowing the story out of proportion and for treating Brian unfairly.

Even after Kirk Ferentz said that Brian’s behavior was unacceptable, it didn’t change the way most fans felt based on my feedback.

Fans rally behind Brian’s brash and bold approach to things. They seem to like that he helps fill the gaps that are left open by his father’s humble and low-key approach.

Kirk Ferentz is sometimes criticized for being boring, stubborn and predictable. I feel confident in saying that Brian Ferentz will never be criticized for any of those things.

The risk with speaking your mind, of course, is that it could come back to haunt you.

Brian Ferentz landed a few subtle jabs against Iowa State coach Matt Campbell and Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck during a 2017 radio interview in which he questioned their recruiting tactics. Brian didn’t mention their names on the radio, but it was clear to whom he was referring.

“What has sped things up (in recruiting) in our state, especially, is the guys in Ames and then the new guys in Minneapolis seem to have no problem really throwing early things out,” Brian Ferentz said, referring to scholarship offers. “And what I’ve learned – certainly about the guys in Ames, and I think we’ll find this about the guys in Minneapolis — what does an offer really mean? I can tell you this much: If the University of Iowa offers you a scholarship and you commit to us, we intend to sign you.

“I think you have to look no further than in-state, to see there were a lot of offers in the 2018 class that went out very early out of Ames. And I’m not sure all those guys were able to commit to them if they wanted to, because some of those guys have since gone other places.”

Kirk Ferentz could coach for another 100 years and never come close to saying anything like that.

Kirk goes out of his way to avoid being bulletin board material, whereas Brian doesn’t seem to care.

Brian’s approach is more entertaining than his father’s approach, and it helps to galvanize fans.

Some fans reached out to me on Tuesday and said they couldn’t wait until Brian becomes the next Iowa head coach because they like his charisma and his willingness to speak his mind.

Brian’s approach will work for as long as Iowa keeps winning enough games to backup what he says.

But should the Hawkeyes struggle, maybe it would be wise for Brian to tone it down just a little and follow his father’s approach because subtle jabs aren’t nearly as effective during tough times.

For now, though, enjoy Brian Ferentz’s outspokenness while you can because we may never see another Iowa offensive coordinator like him or a circumstance like the current one.