Matt Rhule has the utmost respect for what Kirk Ferentz has produced at Iowa, and that includes the working relationship between Kirk and his son, Brian Ferentz.

Brian Ferentz has been on his father’s coaching staff since 2012 and the OC for the Hawkeyes since 2017. That tenure is coming to an end with Iowa previously announcing he will not return after the bowl game.

Asked about that situation, Rhule simply said he has lots of respect for the Ferentz’s and how the two have always protected their players.

“I can’t tell you how much respect I have for Brian Ferentz and Kirk Ferentz. That they’ve never let it be about anything other than their team,” said Rhule. “Great coaches, great leaders protect those they lead and take arrows and slings and that’s what they do.”

Rhule went on to describe Brian as one of the “great great great offensive line coaches” in the game. Though Rhule does not have any personal experience with the younger Ferentz, he praised Iowa’s work for banding together.

“I just have so much respect for that family and what they’ve done and how they’ve banded together,” Rhule explained.

While the offense has fallen short at times for Iowa, the team overall is 9-2 on the season and looking for one more win before the B1G Championship Game. We’ll see if Nebraska has an answer on Black Friday.