By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa offense is an easy target for criticism and cheap shots, and understandably so.

This season marks consecutive seasons in which the Iowa offense has been historically bad from a productivity standpoint, arguably the worst offense at the FBS level.

Iowa defeated Purdue 20-14 this past Saturday at Kinnick Stadium despite not completing one single pass to a wide receiver and converting on just 3-of-13 third-down plays.

It was tough to watch at times as Deacon Hill completed just 6-of-21 passes for 110 yards in his first collegiate start.

But on the other hand, a win is a win, and Iowa is now 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten heading into Saturday’s game at Wisconsin, which could go a long way in determining the Big Ten West Division title.

Iowa’s offense has gained national attention, but for all the wrong reasons.

From Brian Ferentz being accused of receiving preferential treatment, and of being in over his head as the offensive coordinator, to his father, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, being accused of coddling his son and turning the Iowa football program into a family business, the storylines have been sobering and persistent.

The Iowa offense since the start of the 2022 season has been in sharp decline, and that’s saying a lot because rarely has the offense been a strength in 25 seasons under Kirk Ferentz.

So, fans have a right to be upset, and to voice their displeasure, though, calling for Brian Ferentz to be fired during the Michigan State game was a little harsh.

The media also has a right to point out the problems and to ask how the problems are being addressed.

What shouldn’t be tolerated, however, is accusations or criticisms that aren’t true.

Like for example, this silly belief that Kirk Ferentz is just coasting and going through the motions because he knows with his power and job security that he can get away with it as long as Iowa keeps winning at least seven or eight games.

That narrative seems to be gaining some momentum based on recent feedback, but it’s just ridiculous.

There are plenty of factors that are causing the offense to struggle, and it’s up to Kirk Ferentz to fix them because it’s his offense.

Brian Ferentz runs the offense and calls the plays, but it’s still Kirk Ferentz offense from how it’s structured and from a strategy and philosophical standpoint.

But to suggest that Kirk Ferentz is just going through the motions, which is a phrase said to me recently by more than one frustrated fan, is absurd.

Say all you want about Kirk Ferentz’s offense being stale, predictable, and outdated, and about his son being overmatched because the results suggest that some of that criticism could be true.

But to question Kirk Ferentz’s work ethic and commitment at this stage is just so misguided, and isn’t fair.

To say that Kirk Ferentz is content with winning seven or eight games because he knows that is enough to satisfy his bosses is foolish and disrespectful to a man who has poured his heart and soul into coaching the Hawkeyes.

The problem is that, sometimes, working hard just isn’t enough.

Some opponents might recruit better than Kirk Ferentz and his staff, some might strategize better, and some might do a better job of inspiring their players.

But no other staff outworks Kirk Ferentz’s staff.

This isn’t to say that the Iowa coaching staff works harder than every other staff.

But of all the things that are holding back the offense, a lack of effort and commitment from the head Hawk isn’t one of them.

Kirk Ferentz isn’t just going through the motions or still coaching just for the money.

He’s still coaching, because of course, he likes the money and all the perks that come with the job, including working with his son and with his son-in-law, but mostly because he still loves the daily grind and challenges, and the and human interaction that comes with the job.

The game of football is deeply rooted in Kirk Ferentz’s life to where the thought of being without it on a daily basis is maybe just too much for him to handle right now, even at the age of 68.

And that’s okay, especially if you win enough games and Kirk Ferentz has won enough games, considering Iowa’s record is 48-19 since the start of the 2018 season, and 13-6 since the start of last season despite the deficiencies on offense.

My relationship with Kirk Ferentz has become more complicated since the summer of 2020 when multiple former Iowa players accused the program of racial disparities and bullying.

That was a tough summer for everybody involved because suddenly the media was writing about more than just football and much of what was written was highly sensitive and polarizing.

And now three years later, the offense is historically bad and some fans want Kirk Ferentz to fire his son ASAP.

Since the start of the 2022 season, I’ve written multiple articles about the offense, and about Brian Ferentz’s performance, that were critical and that Kirk Ferentz probably didn’t like and resented.

But I haven’t called for Kirk Ferentz to fire his son, nor would I ever do that during the season.

Because, really, what would that accomplish?

My hope is that the offense climbs out of this dysfunctional hole and finally starts to hold up its end of the deal.

I hope for that both professional and personally.

Kirk Ferentz has made some mistakes along the way, both on and off the field, but the good with him still far outweighs the bad.

I was reminded of that just the other day while searching for something in the desk in my office at home.

I came across a card that Kirk Ferentz had sent me shortly after my mother had passed away in February 2021 in which he offered his thoughts and sympathy.

The words in that letter meant a great deal to me, and still do, and the fact that he wrote these words about eight months after the racial unrest had occurred made it even more special because Kirk Ferentz was willing to put aside any hard feelings to offer his support.

Kirk Ferentz might have a blind spot where his son is concerned, but that comes from being a father.

Kirk Ferentz took a chance when he hooked his legacy to Brian Ferentz, and that decision so far has mostly backfired.

The performance of the offense is inexcusable, and fans certainly have a right to be upset.

But if you feel a need to voice your displeasure, at least be fair and accurate with your criticism.