Kirk Ferentz has been a head coach at the Iowa Hawkeyes for 27 years, now entering his 28th season. He is not known as somebody who minces his words.

This time around, Ferentz is livid about a new rule being implemented surrounding the punt.

"There’s no compelling reason to change it. It was already perfectly fine," Ferentz told ESPN's College Football senior writer, Pete Thamel. "[It will] look like a clown show out there. We’re not playing for a couple more months. I don’t know why they couldn’t [change it]."

According to the new rules, there are certain changes that need to be observed moving forward.

Formations must be 2×2 on either side of the snapper unless there are five players wearing numbers 50-79 on the LOS. Players are locked into the 2×2 formation with the guards and tackles in, or touching the tackle box. No shifting, and they are ineligible. If five players wearing 50-79 are on the LOS, normal football rules go into effect (shifting/eligibility).

Moreover, if a team elects to change player jerseys to address numbering exceptions, a team may fill out a form and present it to the referees in the pregame meetings. An announcement will be made before the play about the changes.

The rules pose a problem for Hawkeye Ike Speltz. His jersey number is 47. Consequently, either his jersey number will have to be altered, or Ferentz will have to fill out paperwork to file an exception.

This is problematic because this does not fall under any rulebook violations. Longsnappers are used to wearing numbers outside the 50-79 range. So the logistical hurdle has left Ferentz frustrated. Now he wants the rules changed back.

This is not the first time Ferentz has been critical of NCAA decisions.

Kirk Ferentz Criticizes NCAA Ruling on Cade McNamara

Just before his criticisms of the new punt formation guidelines, the veteran head coach and the Iowa program dealt with a separate NCAA matter.

The Iowa Hawkeyes ended up receiving a one-year probation. This was because of tampering during their recruitment of quarterback Cade McNamara. Ferentz wished the officials would put the facts into perspective before taking a call on the matter.

"Two-plus years to investigate this is an interesting process, to say the least. Obviously disappointed. Strongly feel that it was overly harsh; it was an overreach, I believe," Ferentz lamented to Sirius XM.

Apparently, Ferentz and his WR coach Jon Budmayr approached McNamara before the latter even entered the transfer portal. The incident happened in November 2022 and proved costly. Other than the probation, they were fined $25,000.

Ferentz was suspended for one game. The weight of which he still carries today. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore