Kirk Ferentz Enters Year 28 with Big Expectations for Hawkeyes

Heading into his 28th season as Iowa's head coach, Kirk Ferentz has seen just about everything during his near three decade run leading the Hawkeyes. That experience will be tested again in 2026 as Iowa enters another season with rising expectations but uncertainty at the game's most important position. With former quarterback Mark Gronowski now in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, the Hawkeyes once again head into fall camp searching for their next starting signal-caller. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown are the leading candidates to replace Gronowski, though Ferentz has indicated the competition is likely to continue into preseason camp. 

“Right now we don’t know the answer,” Ferentz said at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover. “We hope (the answer) will come sometime in August…We’re really pleased with the guys that are competing.” 

Whoever emerges as Iowa's starting quarterback will benefit from continuity on the sidelines, as offensive coordinator Tim Lester returns for another season. The former Western Michigan head coach took over the Hawkeyes' offense in 2024 and now enters his third year in Iowa City with a full season under his belt. With greater familiarity in Lester's system and another offseason to build on last year's foundation, expectations are higher for the Hawkeyes' offense in 2026.  

Ferentz said that with returners on offense, including the coordinator, there was a sense of cohesion within the team. 

“We’ve seen growth in terms of cohesiveness and also our leadership base,” Ferentz said. “Those are all key things if you’re going to have a good season.” 

Tight end Addison Ostrenga backed Ferentz’s statement, claiming that continuity is at an all-time high going into his fifth season. 

“I feel like this year we finally have offense figured out,” Ostrenga said. “Obviously, with the new offensive coordinator to start out [last year], it was a little challenging just learning the playbook, but I feel like we're in a great spot now.” 

Ostrenga credited his playcaller for running a difficult scheme, one reminiscent of the pros.  

“The biggest thing with Coach Lester's offense is that it's very similar to NFL offenses right now,” Ostrenga said. “It's been really cool to learn that terminology and those schemes, and basically just run an NFL offense in college.” 

Iowa's defense has long been the foundation of its program. That was the case again in 2025, even as the Hawkeyes finished 9-4. Each of their four losses came by five points or fewer — a five-point defeat to eventual national champion Indiana, an 18-16 loss to Oregon, a five-point setback against USC and a three-point rivalry loss to Iowa State. In every one of those contests, the defense kept Iowa within striking distance. 

This season, however, the unit faces far more uncertainty. With all four starting defensive lineman from a season ago departing, the room will feature new faces. The Hawkeyes must also replace All-American return specialist Kaden Wetjen, who landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL draft. With key departures on two of the team's traditional strengths, the spotlight shifts to the offense. If Iowa hopes to contend for a Big Ten Championship in 2026, the Hawkeyes will likely need their offense to take a step forward. 

“Our biggest concern, our biggest area of focus right now, is the defensive line,” Ferentz said. “Seven of our top eight guys from a year ago are gone.” 

Fifth-year linebacker Jayden Montgomery feels as though the newcomers are ready to step into that vacant role on the defensive front. 

“Every single year, you lose guys that you wish you didn't lose, and that's just a part of college football,” Montgomery said. “I think it comes down to having a lot of guys that have been preparing for their opportunity and that are going to be ready for their opportunity come week one.” 

Montgomery finished 2025 with 44 total tackles and two pass deflections, as he prepares to step into a leadership role both on the field and in the locker room. 

“I always strive to lead by example and be one of those guys that you know my fellow classmates could look up to in that sense,” Montgomery said. “As I've gotten older and gained more experience, I feel like I've started to transition more into that leadership role, which has been awesome.” 

Despite the questions surrounding the defensive line and a new starting quarterback, Iowa once again appears well-positioned to compete in the Big Ten. Ferentz has built one of the nation's most consistent programs, and with Tim Lester entering his third season as offensive coordinator, there is reason to believe the Hawkeyes can take another step offensively. If Iowa's new defensive contributors develop quickly and the offense finds greater consistency, the Hawkeyes have the talent, coaching, and culture to compete in the gauntlet that is the Big Ten. 

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