Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr have announced a self-imposed suspension for the team’s season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 31 to address an NCAA violation related to recruiting quarterback Cade McNamara before the transfer portal opened in 2022. This is Ferentz’s first potential Level II NCAA infraction in his long coaching career, spanning over four decades. Athletic director Beth Goetz stated that the school was notified of the violation by the NCAA and worked together to resolve it over several months, leading to the decision for self-imposed penalties to allow the program to move forward without distraction.
Ferentz expressed remorse for his mistake, acknowledging the impact on the program and his absence during the game. He plans to coach the team during the week but will be removed for 24 hours on game day. McNamara, who transferred from Michigan to Iowa in 2022, is now in his second season with the Hawkeyes and competing for the starting role. Budmayr’s past relationship with McNamara as a former Wisconsin assistant played a role in the quarterback’s decision to join Iowa.
Assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Seth Wallace is expected to replace Ferentz on game day. Ferentz, 69, has been leading the Iowa program since 1999 and is the nation’s longest-tenured head coach. The NCAA refrained from commenting on the investigation due to confidentiality rules.
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