Kirk Ferentz cracks joke about own age while discussing Tom Moore hire
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Iowa's Kirk Ferentz remains the longest-tenured FBS head coach entering the 2026 college football season, but that doesn't mean he can't turn to someone with even more experience than him ahead of Year 28 in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes hired veteran assistant coach Tom Moore this offseason. The 87-year-old Iowa alumnus' coaching career dates back more than 60 years, and he spent more than 30 years in the National Football League as an offensive coordinator.
Moore is perhaps best known for his time as the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts from 1998-09, where he developed future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.
"Just wisdom and experience," Ferentz said when asked what Moore brings to the table at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday. "You can't put a price tag on that sometimes. Tom's an amazing person, played at Iowa… He's got such an appreciation for his experience… and he's got an appreciation for the game of football and the people involved. So he stands, to me, for all that's good in football.
"As far as a coach goes, one of the beauties of Tom is that his wisdom is extensive, his clarity, his ability to really cut to concise points that really matter. He's got an innate ability to do that. To have him with us is a benefit to everyone in our program."
Ferentz also joked that there was a bit of an ulterior motive to hiring Moore.
"Plus, I want to get someone in the building older than me," Ferentz, who turns 71 on Saturday, said.
Ferentz's nearly three-decade tenure at Iowa has been characterized by remarkable consistency. The Hawkeyes haven't suffered a losing season under Ferentz since 2012, and they have finished ranked in the top 25 in six of the last eight seasons.
He's showing no signs of slowing down, and he'll hope that Moore's experience and expertise can be a boon for an Iowa offense that has taken some small steps forward in the last two seasons under offensive coordinator Tim Lester.
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Kirk Ferentz cracks joke about own age while discussing Tom Moore hire
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