Tag: Beth Goetz

Beth Goetz comments on hiring of new head Iowa women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen

Beth Goetz said Jan Jensen provides a “seamless passing of the baton.”

Wednesday was a special day to be a Hawkeye fan.

Iowa has a new head women’s basketball coach. Jan Jensen, 55, takes over the reins for the Hawkeyes.

Jensen shared her initial thoughts on taking over as the head coach after spending the past 24 seasons as an assistant and associate head coach.

Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz shared her thoughts on Jensen as she officially introduced her in a press conference on Wednesday.

Here’s what Goetz had to say about Jensen.

This is a seamless passing of the baton. The definition of a true teammate is someone who embraces their role, commits to honing their craft with the sole expectation to serve those around them and make the team better. Jan Jensen has learned from the best, positioned the program for unprecedented achievements, and has been an integral component over the past decades in making Iowa one of the most successful college women’s basketball programs in the country.

Jan’s journey has been entangled with the story of women’s basketball in the state of Iowa for as long as most can remember. It was in her genes as her grandmother played six on six in the 1920s. I think I’m getting this right, Coach, was nicknamed “Lottie” for scoring lots of points. Jan carried on that tradition with her name still etched in Iowa high school record books. She then went on to become the nation’s leading scorer, averaging 29.7 points per game and became an All-American at Drake University.

Her coaching career began after spending a year playing professionally in Germany, and she has never looked back. A presence on the court and off, known equally for the impact she makes on the game and for the authenticity and kindness she shares with all she meets, making them feel like lifelong friends.

A relationship builder, a relentless recruiter, a post whisperer, always ready for coffee and a conversation with an athlete, a champion on someone’s most difficult day and on their best. She has always been leading, always been mapping a path for success for your Hawkeyes.

She embodies the culture of Iowa women’s basketball that our loyal fans have come to know and love and will lead this new era of the program during a new era of college athletics with creativity, grit, passion and commitment needed to build champions on and off the court.

A head coach must have a deep understanding of the game, be a teacher at heart, understand how to build culture and inspire belief. They must be a role model, a motivator, and have an unrelenting competitive drive to be the best and bring out the best in all who touch their program.

Jan models daily what it means have a tireless work ethic, to lead with compassion and fiery passion and to be confident in who you are and how to go about chasing your dreams. Everything we needed in the next leader of this storied program was right here.

Under Jan’s leadership, you will continue to see a team that plays with heart, with unmatched toughness, and plays an exciting brand of basketball. We have a coach who welcomes high expectations, has an energy that inspires all those around her, and a contagious enthusiasm that will continue to flame the passion of her team and our fans across the state and beyond.

You’ve been all in here with us, and we are all in with you. How amazing is it when the easy choice is the right choice, and in Caitlin Clark’s words, the only choice.

It’s now my pleasure to officially welcome and introduce the University of Iowa P. Sue Beckwith Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Jan Jensen. – Iowa athletic director, Beth Goetz.

Jensen is certainly accomplished. Known like Goetz said as a “post whisperer” and as a sensational recruiter, Jensen was a part of the full duration of the Lisa Bluder era.

That featured Iowa advancing to 18 NCAA Tournaments, five Big Ten Tournament titles, a pair of Big Ten regular season championships, five Sweet 16 appearances, three Elite Eights and each of the past two Final Fours and national championship games.

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Beth Goetz named University of Iowa Director of Athletics

Beth Goetz has officially been named the University of Iowa Athletics Director after serving in an interim capacity.

After serving as the interim athletics director at the University of Iowa since last August, Beth Goetz can take off the interim tag. She has officially been named Iowa’s Director of Athletics.

Goetz has long been the expected name to assume this position following Gary Barta’s retirement and her new take on athletics, openness to the NIL world, and fearlessness about change has made her a fan favorite for the position to lead the Iowa Hawkeyes.

I am truly honored and humbled to lead Iowa’s storied athletics program, and I am grateful to President Wilson and the search committee for their confirence in my leadership. The University of Iowa is a world-class institution with a demonstrated commitment to athletics excellence, and I look forward to continuing to patner with our coaches and staff in support of all our student-athletes. It is a privilege to serve our campus and our passionate Hawkeye supporters. – Beth Goetz

Goetz, a former student-athlete herself as a soccer player at Clemson University, has the experience to take on the role. She was the athletics director at Ball State from 2018-2022 before joining Iowa.

Upon the announcement, the different accounts of Iowa’s athletics team shared their excitement and gratitude for the hire of Goetz.

I am pleased that Beth has been officially hired as our university’s newest director of athletics. Since arriving at the University of Iowa, Beth has shown a tremendours dedication to the university and a passion for our student-athletes. She has a vision that is respectful of the traditions of our athletics programs while embracing opportunities in the rapidly changing college sports landscape. Beth is highly professional, and I believe is well-equipped to naviate this new era of collegiate sports. – Kirk Ferentz

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It is time for Beth Goetz to be Iowa’s permanent AD

After demonstrating the leadership to make the necessary change for Iowa, Beth Goetz showed it’s time to take the interim AD tag off.

Oh, what a difference a year can make with new people in charge. Last year at the bye, Iowa football was in a similar situation. The offense under offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz was horrendous, and the fan base called for changes.

Instead, head coach Kirk Ferentz issued a snippy response to the naysayers. Iowa wouldn’t consider a midseason coaching change. It had done things its way for years, and that Iowa way had led to a great deal of success in case you weren’t aware.

You can see the condescension from Ferentz on display during that press conference below.

A year later, the situation isn’t much better. Despite making moves over the offseason, the Brian Ferentz-led offense is still a disaster. The team has the 118th-ranked scoring offense in the nation: 19.5 points per game. That’s a far cry from the laughably manageable 25 points per game mandated in Ferentz’s designated performance objectives.

This isn’t the same ol’ Iowa, though. Not with Beth Goetz calling the shots. Not content to sit around and smile about the glory years of old like her predecessor, Goetz made a decision that took real guts.

It was announced on Monday that Brian Ferentz would not be back next season. After Iowa’s bowl game this season, his tenure as offensive coordinator is through.

Now, this may seem like an easy decision. The bare minimum really. But many Iowa fans — and general pessimists out there — believed Iowa would not seriously get rid of Brian Ferentz. With the nepotism and the do-nothing attitude of the organization’s powers that be, it seemed impossible.

With Cade McNamara and numerous offensive players going down this year, it seemed the perfect excuse was brewing to give Brian one more chance at the helm in vain.

Goetz was not having it.

Saddled with one of the unique — and let’s be honest, embarrassing — situations in all of college football by former athletics director Gary Barta, the interim AD stepped up and made the proper decision. It’s a massive decision, too, letting go of the coach’s son, one of the longest-tenured coaches in college football history, all while still only being the interim AD.

It perfectly summarizes Goetz’s entire tenure as the interim athletics director at Iowa. She had zero intentions on being a placeholder. This was her job for the taking and she was going to change Iowa for the better.

For years, we’ve been saying somebody needed to help take Iowa into the future of college sports. This was highlighted even more in recent years, with the vast expansion of superconferences, the transfer portal and name, image and likeness licensing.

In just one season as interim AD, Goetz has helped Iowa embrace the portal in multiple sports, heavily invest in the idea of NIL and made a move that has been desperately needed. The program will not just magically get better with Brian Ferentz gone.

However, he was a clear and evident problem, and keeping him around was a declaration of unseriousness from the program to both fans and future recruits. “Don’t buy into us, we’re content with this.”

It needed to be done for Iowa to move forward as a football program, and Beth Goetz made the tough decision for the better of the school.

The time to promote Goetz to permanent AD was yesterday folks.

Many across social media had similar thoughts as Hawkeye nation joined in praising Goetz’s leadership.

Brian Ferentz releases statement to ESPN regarding upcoming dismissal

Brian Ferentz issued a statement to ESPN’s Pete Thamel about his upcoming dismissal as offensive coordinator following the 2023 season.

After a series of rumors, news broke on Monday that Brian Ferentz would not return as Iowa offensive coordinator following the conclusion of the 2023 season.

The initial reports sent Iowa and college football fans into a social media frenzy.

Interim Iowa athletics director Beth Goetz confirmed the news, releasing a statement on the decision.

“Anyone who loves Iowa football recognizes both the success and challenges that have brought attention to our program this season. Our struggles on offense coupled with the offensive coordinator’s contract make this a unique situation.

“After conversations with head coach Kirk Ferentz, coach Brian Ferentz and President Wilson, I informed Brian that our intention is for him to be with us through the bowl game, but this is his last season with the program. Making this known today is in the best interest of the program and its loyal fans; it provides clarity during this pivotal time in the schedule,” Goetz wrote in her statement.

Brian Ferentz released a statement as well, relaying the following to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

“For the vast majority of my adult life I have had the privilege to represent the University of Iowa as a football player and coach. I have always considered and will always consider it an honor.

“In that time, my singular goal has been to contribute to the football team’s success. As long as I am employed by the University of Iowa, my stated goal will not change. My priority will continue to be the wellbeing of our students and the success of our team,” Brian Ferentz said.

After back-to-back anemic offensive seasons, the hope was a transfer portal infusion would ignite Iowa’s stagnant offense. Though those hopes were dashed in part by injury, the results simply haven’t been good enough for far too long.

The Hawkeyes’ offense ranks dead last in total offense, sitting 130th nationally. Iowa averages 19.5 points per game to rank 118th in the country in scoring offense.

This news means Iowa will undergo a full offensive coordinator search in the offseason, and it could signal the beginning of a complete offensive staff overhaul.

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Interim Iowa AD Beth Goetz confirms upcoming Brian Ferentz departure, issues statement

Interim athletics director Beth Goetz released a statement, confirming Brian Ferentz will not serve as offensive coordinator after 2023.

The news that most Hawkeye fans have been waiting on for the better part of the past two seasons finally came Monday.

Brian Ferentz will no longer be the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ offensive coordinator following the conclusion of the 2023 season. As expected, that generated a wide range of reactions among the Hawkeye faithful.

An initial report by Hawkeye Insider‘s David Eickholt was confirmed by Iowa interim athletics director Beth Goetz on Monday afternoon.

In her first major move as the interim athletics director, Goetz revealed in a statement that she informed Brian Ferentz he would no longer serve as the Hawkeyes’ offensive coordinator at season’s end.

Here’s the full statement from Goetz:

“Anyone who loves Iowa football recognizes both the success and challenges that have brought attention to our program this season. Our struggles on offense coupled with the offensive coordinator’s contract make this a unique situation.

“After conversations with head coach Kirk Ferentz, coach Brian Ferentz and President Wilson, I informed Brian that our intention is for him to be with us through the bowl game, but this is his last season with the program. Making this known today is in the best interest of the program and its loyal fans; it provides clarity during this pivotal time in the schedule.

“It is not my practice to be involved in assistant coaching decisions and certainly not to make public such a change during a season. Our priority is to put all our student-athletes in the best position to have both short-term and long-term success, on and off the field. Our football team has a group of outstanding young men and talented athletes, who at 6-2, have a lot to play for. As a former athlete, I know every opportunity to put on the jersey is a cherished one.

“As Hawkeyes, let’s continue to support all our coaches, staff and student-athletes in their pursuit of a Big Ten Championship and bowl game victory.” – Goetz, Iowa interim athletics director said in a statement.

After back-to-back lackluster offensive seasons, former Iowa athletics director Gary Barta amended Brian Ferentz’s contract with designated performance objectives.

The two designated performance objectives were Iowa must average 25 points per game and win at least seven games this season, including a potential bowl game.

Through its first eight games, Iowa has scored 156 points, or 19.5 points per game.

Iowa would need to score 169 points over its next five games, or average 33.8 points per game in order to meet that 25 points per game mark. If the Hawkeyes make it to the Big Ten Championship game, Iowa would need to score 194 points over its next six games, which equates to an average of 32.3 points per game.

Now, this removes any doubt as to whether Brian Ferentz will return in 2024.

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Beth Goetz named University of Iowa’s Interim Athletics Director

In a move that had been speculated, it became official today. Beth Goetz has been named the University of Iowa’s Interim Athletics Director.

The University of Iowa has its new head of the athletic department not too long after the upcoming retirement of Gary Barta was announced. The Iowa Hawkeyes have announced that Beth Goetz is now officially named the Interim Athletics Director.

This news comes from the Hawkeyes’ official site and that Goetz’s role will take effect on August 1. Goetz is currently the deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer for the university.

Hawkeyes Wire’s Jacob Keppen delved into her athletic and professional history and why buzz was building that this might be a possibility last week.

“Beth is a talented and respected leader not only at Iowa, but also at the national level in college athletics. I am grateful she has agreed to lead this crucial part of our university and I am confident she will generate a lot of excitement and forward momentum for our student-athletes, coaches, athletics staff, and Hawkeye fans,” said Iowa President Barbara Wilson.

Beth Goetz has been at Iowa since September of 2022. Prior to joining the university, she was the Director of Athletics at Ball State and brings that experience with her in this next role. Other experiences include time as the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Connecticut and as the Interim Athletics Director at the University of Minnesota.

“I want to congratulate Gary Barta on his long career at Iowa and thank President Wilson for putting her trust in me and the tremendous people we have here at Iowa. The Hawkeyes have a proud and storied tradition with the greatest fan base in the country, and I am appreciative of the opportunity to lead the department. I am committed to supporting our talented coaches, staff, and student-athletes as we build on the positive trajectory of athletic and academic excellence,” Goetz said.

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Who is Beth Goetz? Meeting Iowa’s potential next AD

As the Gary Barta news broke, one name seemingly arose as a prominent, popular candidate. Who exactly is possible Hawkeye AD Beth Goetz?

It’s a new era for University of Iowa athletics.

Iowa is known for many things: a passionate fan base, a steady stream of success across all sports and a traditional way of doing things. Change is not all that common in Iowa City. After 17 years of serving as Iowa’s athletics director, Gary Barta announced his upcoming August retirement.

An interim athletics director is set to be announced next week. Current Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer Beth Goetz is the likely favorite for the interim position and could perhaps take over the role permanently.

A former All-American soccer player, Beth Goetz has done a great deal in the world of collegiate athletics over the past few decades. She has worked in some notable athletics departments and is no stranger to taking over a role on short notice.

A rising star in the world of colligate athletics, Goetz has been recognized nationally for her efforts at Ball State, both on and off the field. Given her background and national recognition by the NCAA, Goetz appears to be a candidate perfectly suited to uphold Iowa’s great tradition, while bringing the Hawkeyes into a new era.

Here is a more detailed look at a name that many are speculating just might be the Hawkeyes’ next athletics director.