Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says he does not like going up against a “buddy” but it beats staying home. Ferentz and former Hawkeye Bobby Stoops will match wits on December 30th when Iowa plays Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl. The two first crossed paths in 1981 when Ferentz joined Hayden Fry’s staff as the offensive line coach and Stoops was a starting safety for the Hawks.
Ferentz says Stoops is still a Hawkeye and that is one of the things about the program, is that former players always feel welcome and a part of the program. He says that adds something extra to this meeting.
Both were involved in the search for Fry’s replacement in 1997. Stoops was the fans’ choice but instead took the job at Oklahoma and Ferentz took over in Iowa City. “Had that worked out, it would have been a great thing for Iowa, I’d still be in the NFL,” Ferentz says. He says the whole thing worked out well for everyone.