Iowa Suspends Kirk Ferentz, Assistant for Season Opener

© Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Iowa Hawkeyes will open their season without head coach Kirk Ferentz, who has been suspended for one game on Aug. 22. Ferentz, along with wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr, have been punished for a recruiting violation involving quarterback Cade McNamara.

This violation, according to On3, focuses around having contact with McNamara back in 2022—prior to the Transfer Portal opening up. McNamara has been Iowa’s quarterback for one season after transferring in from Michigan.

At that time of the violation in 2022, Budmayr was a special assistant to the head coach.

"I tell our players, 'We abide by the rules.' In this specific case, I did not do that," Ferentz said at a Thursday press conference, Sports Illustrated reports. "I made a mistake during the recruiting process. I want to apologize to our players, coaching staff, university leadership and our incredible fans." This is a self-imposed suspension by Iowa.

McNamara only played in five games last season for Iowa, throwing for 505 yards and 4 touchdowns. In July Ferentz indicated that McNamara was his starting quarterback. Yet McNamara and Brendan Sullivan, who transferred in from Northwestern, have been duking it out in camp for that spot. 

There has been no clear indication whether the suspension is coming from Iowa or the NCAA. A clarification could be coming later on Aug. 22 from either one. Ferentz was reportedly going to meet the media on and talk about this violation. ESPN reported that sources indicated this matter is related to an NCAA investigation.

Wallace to Step In

Reports indicated associate head coach Seth Wallace will step into the head coaching spot in the season opener against Illinois State. Wallace is in his first season as assistant head coach. He’s also the Hawkeyes’ linebackers coach.

Ferentz has kept the Hawkeyes among winning college football programs since becoming head coach in 1999. Iowa is 196-119 with 21 bowl victories with Ferentz at the helm. He’s also posted seven seasons with at least 10 wins.

Ferentz Is a Winner

Ferentz, the longest tenured FBS coach, is entering his 26th season as Hawkeyes’ boss. Last season, Iowa was 10-4 and suffered a loss in the Citrus Bowl. The team’s offense was horrendous last year, ranking 134th out of 134 teams in expected points added per play. But the Iowa defense is stellar. It has the nation’s No. 2 secondary and No. 2 linebacker unit behind defensive coordinator Phil Parker. 

With a solid record of victories, this doesn’t look like a season where Iowa will lose steam. Illinois State is not looked upon as a college football powerhouse and Iowa players will be chomping at the bit to take the field on Aug. 31.

Check back with College Football Dawgs for more Iowa Hawkeyes coverage this season.

Editor's Note: This article was updated to include Kirk Ferentz's comments from a Thursday press conference.