July 27, 2012
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- Ferentz cites attitude, potential
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – Brian Ferentz enters his first year on the football coaching staff at the University of Iowa after four years with the NFL’s New England Patriots like all of his peers: In search of a few good men. He’s does have a checklist that might be unique to the Iowa Hawkeyes, however.
“At the offensive line position, we’re looking for tough, smart, hard-nosed, physical football players. We’re looking for guys who like to compete and like to prove things on a day-to-day basis,” Ferentz says in the latest installment of the Iowa football program’s “Coach Speak” series of videos that debuted last week with an introduction of UI linebackers coach LeVar Woods and will continue each Friday until all members of Kirk Ferentz’s 2012 coaching staff have been profiled.
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“We want guys who can translate their athleticism onto the playing field because, at the end of the day, what we believe in is blocking people. We believe with an athletic, tough, smart, hard-nosed offensive lineman, we can teach them the necessary skills to block defensive players and play the kind of football we want to play here at Iowa.”
Brian Ferentz
Offensive Line Coach |
Tough.
Smart.
Hard-nosed.
Physical.
A guy who went to work each day and played each game with a chip on his shoulder. That was – and is today – Brian Ferentz.
Ferentz was a fixture in Iowa’s offensive line from 2001 to 2005, a period which saw the Hawkeyes win 55 games, claim two Big Ten Conference championships, and advance to five bowl games, a string that included one appearance in the Bowl Championships Series’ FedEx Orange Bowl and three January 1 events.
“One of the great things about coaching here at the University of Iowa is getting to work with a staff full of high character, high quality people. For me, to be back with these guys and be a part of this, it’s extremely special and very gratifying.”
When it comes to what Brian does on a daily basis, little has changed since his playing days. Iowa may not always have the biggest offensive lineman, but, to a man, offensive linemen who play for the Iowa Hawkeyes know the power of technique, hard work, teamwork, and athleticism.
“We want guys who can translate their athleticism onto the playing field because, at the end of the day, what we believe in is blocking people. We believe with an athletic, tough, smart, hard-nosed offensive lineman, we can teach them the necessary skills to block defensive players and play the kind of football we want to play here at Iowa.”
To watch Ferentz’s “Coach Speak” video and learn more about Ferentz and the Hawkeyes, visit gohawks.com. The video is also available at GoHawksTV, the Iowa football program’s official YouTube channel.