Ferentz's MO on staff building was deliberate in 1998-99

When Kirk Ferentz was hired at Iowa in December 2000, you might remember he took his time in putting together his staff.

He also didn't worry about pedigree and college football food chain. He concentrated on whether the guy could coach and teach.

His first hires were offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe, O-line coach Joe Philbin -- both of whom he knew for more than 20 years -- running backs coach Carl Jackson, quarterbacks/receivers coach Chuck Long and linebackers coach Bret Bielema.

Long and Bielema were the only two retained from Hayden Fry's last staff. O'Keefe came from Fordham and Philbin from Harvard.

"My philosophy has always been that if you're a football coach and if you're a teacher -- a true coach and a true teacher -- I really don't see much difference from one level to the other," Ferentz said. "In my career, people have rolled the dice on me a little, starting with coach Fry back in 1981. I was hardly the logical choice, I assure you, for that position."

At the time, he said he hoped to have the staff in place by early January.

"What you're looking for are guys that are teachers, guys that are communicators, they're solid people, they coach for the right reasons," he said. "I just happen to believe if you get the right people they'll succeed at any level. And I feel the same way about players."

Ferentz said he would consider NFL coaches, college coaches and high school coaches for his remaining vacancies.

"There's nothing more important that the chemistry of our staff, because that's going to affect the chemistry of our football team," he said. "I'd rather move too slowly than too quickly at this stage.

"I feel the same way about recruiting. We want to get guys who are going to fit in at Iowa," he said. "That's really important to me. That's the big secret, I think, if we're going to have the kind of success I want to have."

Defensive coordinator Norm Parker and D-line coach Ron Aiken were hired in mid-January '99. Defensive backs coach Phil Parker wasn't hired until mid-February.

So, where does that leave Ferentz in his search for a new defensive coordinator and D-line coach?

Good question. The AFCA coaches clinic in San Antonio ends tomorrow. There are 6,000 coaches in town. Some of them might even have resumes. The posted defensive coordinator opening on the UI website has an end date of Jan. 18th.

Iowa's recruiting class is in the final stages with 17 recruits committed. The Hawkeyes are in the running for a few D-linemen. LeVar Woods has held the position the minute Rick Kaczenski told Ferentz that he was headed to Nebraska. The D-line position might already be filled, at least in an unofficial capacity.

Ferentz said during the Insight Bowl preparation that he's not worried if a few recruits fall by the wayside during this search. So, it could be the end of this week or the end of the month.

The national signing period begins Feb. 1. Maybe the search for a defensive coordinator goes beyond that.

This is an important move. It will shape Ferentz's remaining years (contract runs through 2020) at Iowa.