Coach for Life?  

It appears that Iowa has signed Kirk Ferentz to a new 7-year extension. Not that his contract was up any time soon. In fact, they already had him booked through 2012.

I just don't understand these deals. It seems completely unnecessary to have him on the books through 2015, especially when his teams have been inconsistent. The man is 70-53 at Iowa. That's an ok record. Not great by any means. Now he goes 9-4 and gets an additional 7 years? When he's already one of the highest paid coaches around?

From 2002-2004 he was red hot, winning at least 10 games a year. That's when he signed his last extension, with his huge pay. I'd say at that point he'd earned it. Iowa looked like a real up and comer, and Ferentz was rumored for every opening, both pro and college.

Then he went 7-5, 6-7, 6-6 over the next three years. Not exactly earning that huge salary. A lot of the bloom was off that rose. So this year he goes 9-4 and gets another extension? I'm sorry, at his salary, 9-4 needs to be what's expected from you. That is NOT a great season for someone that well compensated. That is an okay season. It's acceptable, but you would hope that it's not the norm. Or at least that there are as many 10-win plus seasons as nine win seasons.

I know you don't want to let him escape, but I think it's okay to say that he has a more than fair contract that runs for a number of years. And furthermore, this past season is exactly what Iowa should be receiving for its' commitment. Give him another year, if it's good, then start talking extension so the new players know their coach is signed through their 4 years of eligibility.

If I'm Ferentz I just have some of my NFL friends float my name for a head coaching job every year. Then Iowa will freak out and sign another extension. If he keeps this up he'll just end up with one of those coach for life deals. And he doesn't even have to be particularly good!

Finally, if he didn't get the KC job from his buddy Pioli (which was both a good fit and a great geographical fit), after Ferentz had put together a pretty good season, I think Iowa can rest assured that NFL teams aren't knocking down Ferentz's door to get to him any more.