Kirk Ferentz had a front row seat for Iowa versus Illinois State in the 2024 season opener.
Unlike the 25 season openers before it, though, it wasn’t a front row seat at Kinnick Stadium as the Hawkeyes‘ head coach on the sidelines. Instead, it was a front row seat at home watching Iowa on TV.
Alongside Iowa wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr, Ferentz served a self-imposed one-game suspension stemming from recruiting violations that occurred in late 2022.
In his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Ferentz described what the surreal experience was like.
“There was no tailgate. Actually, I had a grandson in the house. So, got up, had two scrambled eggs. Nothing too dramatic. Just kinda killed time. Did that moreso with him. But, when the game started, it’s different watching it on TV. It’s really different. You can see better. That’s one thing. I had a nice surface to write on, which was the second thing. So, I guess those are two upgrades.
“But, outside of that, there wasn’t much good about it. It’s sterile, and you’re pretty much helpless. Not that I do a lot during games anyway. I’m not playing. But, you have a total feeling of disconnection, so it was really strange,” Ferentz said.
Kirk Ferentz on watching the Illinois State game from home: “Actually I had a grandson in the house, so got up, had two scrambled eggs, nothing too dramatic. Just kinda killed time and did that moreso with him. But when the game started, it’s different watching it on TV. It’s… pic.twitter.com/wb4PIfyo4e
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) September 3, 2024
Ferentz was asked later what he felt he missed the most while away from the Hawkeyes’ sideline.
“It’s just a totally different experience. You feel totally disconnected. I thought about that a little bit. Like if I were retired, the difference is you’re not invested the way you are if you work here every day and are with the guys every day.
“The closest thing would be like one of our kids’ games. You’re kind of invested. You’re a parent, but it’s still not the same as when you coach and work with people on a daily basis in a really intimate environment. And that’s what we get to enjoy, and that’s the best part of coaching is just that. The times when we get to shut the door and just do what we do or practice and all those kinds of things.
“When you have that, then it’s really strange to be disconnected. It was code of silence on Saturday. Left the hotel Friday night, which was strange, and then sleep in your own bed that night, that’s strange. And then basically wasn’t sure what to do all morning, and then the game came, and then I really wasn’t sure what to do at halftime, so it was kind of interesting,” Ferentz said.
Ultimately, acting head coach Seth Wallace and the Hawkeyes held up their end of the bargain and took care of business in a 40-0 shutout victory over Illinois State.
It’s safe to say that Ferentz isn’t looking to miss out on any more games any time soon, though.
“But, it all worked out. And then it’s even stranger after the game because either it’s a really good time emotionally or a bad time, and those highs and lows make it really special, so you miss out on all those things.
“It wasn’t the same seeing everybody on Sunday. It’s just that time gap in there. It’s a little bit different. It’s over, and hopefully something I’ll never experience again. We’ll see how it all goes,” Ferentz said.
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