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Kirk Ferentz criticizes ESPN coverage, network personalities as ‘coach killers’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Kirk Ferentz was not afraid to speak his mind when it came to some analysts employed by ESPN.
While at his Tuesday press conference, Iowa’s longtime head coach was asked about the challenges of coaching in this era of transfer portal and NIL paydays. The question specifically referenced the idea of “instant gratification” within the culture.
Ferentz admitted things are a bit tougher right now for individuals in leadership roles, such as parents, teachers and coaches.
“It’s a little harder now — no question. If you’re a parent or a teacher, certainly parents are a lot bigger group. It’s a tougher time to be a parent, a teacher or a coach,” said Ferentz. “We’re not really advertising some of those things, those values of working hard, sticking with it, all the stuff a lot of us grew up hearing from various people we respected.”
After that, he specifically turned his attention to ESPN. Ferentz referenced three individuals as “coach killers” or “player killers” who focus on stirring up controversy.
The head coach refrained from specifically naming the analysts in question, so fans are left to wonder about the specific ESPN personalities in question.
“With all the ESPN coverage and all that. In fact, I was making a comment to some of the guys on staff this morning. I was looking through there and saw 3 faces on that little thing on the left of the ESPN site where they’ve got your videos, 3 guys that are basically coach killers or player killers,” Ferentz claimed. “All they’re trying to do is stir up controversy. That’s what there is out there for people to take in. You wonder why there’s so much negativity?”
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.