Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz Breaks Big Ten Coaching Wins Record

Kirk Ferentz, head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team, has become the all-time winningest coach in Big Ten history, surpassing Ohio State legend Woody Hayes with his 206th victory following a 47-7 win over UMass. Ferentz, who has led Iowa for 27 seasons since 1999, now holds a 206-125 record at Iowa and an overall head coaching record of 218-146 including his time at Maine. His coaching journey began as an offensive line coach for Iowa before stints in the NFL and Maine, returning to Iowa to take over as head coach after Hayden Fry’s retirement. Despite a slow start, Ferentz led Iowa to multiple Big Ten championships and consistent success, establishing one of the most stable programs in the conference. His win total exceeds other legendary Big Ten coaches such as Amos Alonzo Stagg, Bo Schembechler, and Joe Paterno, cementing his legacy in college football. Ferentz's milestone was celebrated not only for the number but for his long tenure and consistent performance in the Big Ten.