Kirk Ferentz enjoyed every moment while coaching for six seasons in the National Football League, but he emphasized that it lacked a certain something found in abundance on the campus of The University of Iowa: the human perspective.

“The NFL is more like a business,” Ferentz, the head football coach, says. “There’s certainly less mentoring going on at the professional level. That role is more prominent here as we guide our players through the process of maturation.”

Ferentz took a few minutes during the Hawkeyes’ annual media day in August to speak with Spectator@IOWA about the challenge of mentoring dozens of college students, the influence of UI coaching legend Hayden Fry, and his efforts on behalf of the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.

What’s the most rewarding thing about working with college students?

Watching young men come out of high school and seeing the growth and maturation they go through. It’s a little bit like raising kids, only I have a hundred of them on our team. It’s a dicey age, obviously—often they come to us with wide eyes, and they have a lot of choices before them. If we’re doing our jobs right, hopefully when they leave here they are much better prepared for the life ahead of them.

Do you think college kids have changed much over the years?

I wouldn’t say they’ve changed much at all. If anything, they’re more in tune with the world than they were before. The times have changed, people’s circumstances have changed, society has changed. The Internet and various communication devices allow our players to have more social awareness, which is a good thing.

You could ask the same question of parents—unfortunately, I’m not sure they are always as supportive and encouraging as they could be. That makes life a little more challenging for these young men sometimes.

The University of Iowa community honored your mentor and former UI coach Hayden Fry with a new celebratory event, FRYFest. Describe his influence on your career.

We’ve stayed in touch over the years. He spoke to our team before the Alamo Bowl in 2006—that was a treat for players and coaches alike. I can tell you this: he’s normally rather reserved and occasionally coy, but he’s really excited about FRYFest. I think it’s fantastic that he’s being honored.

Most of my perspectives on what a college program should be, how it should be run, were shaped by Coach Fry’s influence. I don’t want to stick my neck out too far, but I think it’s safe to say that other coaches who worked with him and went on to run a program of their own—Barry Alvarez, Bill Snyder, Dan McCarney, Bob Stoops, Don Patterson—would tell you the same thing.

Do you have a favorite place to relax?

My back porch would be No. 1, with the kitchen a close second; it’s tough to be on that back porch in January. As far as campus goes, I love the T. Anne Cleary Walkway, the courtyard area near the Pappajohn Business Building. I take jogs through there occasionally—I love that stretch, it’s beautiful.

What will you be most proud of when you look back at your coaching career?

I don’t have a definite answer—hopefully that I’ve done a conscientious job. I do know what I will miss: the associations this job has allowed me to have for a decade-plus. These associations are numerous, starting with the players first and foremost. There’s the staff—not only our coaching staff but our support staff, the people I see almost daily. And it goes well beyond that. I think of the many great people found across the UI campus. I appreciate the supporters and donors to our program, and last but not least the fans—they are as good as it gets.

Let’s talk about another association you and your wife, Mary, have with the UI community—your fundraising work for the UI Children’s Hospital.

It came together when Mike Artman, physician-in-chief at the Children’s Hospital, came on board—he had a strong vision for the facility. My wife had a chance to visit with him, and she was sold immediately. A few years ago, Nate Kaeding [former player] and I took a tour through the Children’s Hospital—once you take the tour, you can’t help but want to do something to support all of the outstanding things that occur there.

Dr. Artman came to the Children’s Hospital with a strong vision—much like Hayden Fry did 30 years ago—and he and everyone involved have done a remarkable job. The Children’s Hospital has a very positive impact not only on our community but on all of Iowa as it provides top-level care for our children.

—Christopher Clair with photos by Tim Schoon