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Iowa OC Brian Ferentz Lights Up QB Cade McNamara For Potentially Costing Him Money

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Iowa Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is under a lot of pressure this season, and it sure seems like he knows it.

Ferentz, the son of Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz, coordinated one of the worst offenses in all of college football a year ago.

Iowa’s offense was so bad a year ago that Ferentz had to amend his contract in order to remain on staff in 2023.

The new contract includes a clause that saw Ferentz take a pay cut dependent on the number of points the Hawkeyes score in 2023.

“For Ferentz to return to his previous two-year rolling contract, the Hawkeyes must reach a mere 25 points per game — by any means, including defense and special teams — in 2023,” Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports reported. Additionally, the Hawkeyes must reach seven wins, which includes a potential bowl game. Ferentz accepted a $50,000 salary decrease to $850,000 for the season. If Ferentz fails to meet either of the two incentives, his contract will officially terminate on June 30, 2024.

“Calling the incentives manageable is an understatement. Outside of the 2020 pandemic season, Iowa has not won fewer than seven games in a full season since 2012. The 25 points per game mark would have ranked No. 85 nationally in 2022, tied with Butch Jones’ 3-9 Arkansas State squad. If Iowa’s offense reaches those meager standards, Ferentz will get a raise to $925,000 and a bonus of $112,500 that would push his 2024 salary past the $1 million mark.”

Through two weeks of the 2023 season, the Hawkeyes have yet to eclipse 25 points in a game. That includes a 20-13 victory over rival Iowa State where Iowa scored on a 30-yard interception return.

Things didn’t look much better on Saturday, when the Hawkeyes wet into half leading Western Michigan 14-10.

Iowa could have extended that lead just prior to halftime. But starting quarterback Cade McNamara threw an interception in the end zone instead.

It was the second interception of the half for McNamara. And sent Ferentz into meltdown mode.

The Hawkeyes offensive coordinator slammed down his headset before launching into an expletive-laden rant at McNamara.

And fans new exactly why.

You don’t mess with a man’s money.