Coaching change needed at U of Iowa

To the editor:

Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta made a colossal mistake when he extended Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz's contract through 2020. This one single action gives the coach no incentive to put a consistently quality team on the field. We will continue to see 7-5/8-4 teams for the next six seasons. And, has anyone noticed that Ferentz in his public statements does not smile or laugh, and speaks in a monotone voice without any excitement, while saying that's the way it is in football?

A $4 million salary plus many more millions into new facilities should produce better teams. Many of his players have gone on to successful NFL careers, which points to quality of the coaching.

If Barta will not change the coaching team, as he has stated, it is time for President Sally Mason to step in and make the badly needed changes. Iowa was more than humiliated in November and at the TaxSlayer Bowl.

I came to UI in 1961 when Jerry Burns succeeded Forest Evashevski. Iowa football declined until Hayden Fry arrived. I would argue that Iowa football is again in decline, and that decline will continue until there is a coaching change. Iowa will attract lesser quality recruits, and ticket sales, along with impact to the local economy, will continue to decline.

Iowa fans are right to demand change, which is becoming overdue.

Gerald L. Kuhl

North Liberty