Today also illustrates why Iowa will never be a legitimate top ten powerhouse for the foreseeable future. What exactly has Iowa done to make fans feel like they will ever see the Hawkeyes win the B1G, let alone a playoff game? The fanbase is divided in it's expectations. Certain fans will see Iowa as a program capable of competing at the highest level. These fans will gage the programs success against the likes of Ohio State, or Michigan. On the flip side, certain fans will see being solid, and never really seeing the bottom fall out as a reason to applaud the current regime. These fans will gage the program against the likes of Minnesota, Purdue, or Northwestern.
If you see Iowa in tier one of B1G programs like Ohio State, Michigan, or soon to be USC, then Ferentz needs to go. Penn State fans see themselves in that tier. Wisconsin fans just began to see themselves in that tier. Older Nebraska fans definitely see themselves in that tier.
What tier is Iowa? No answer is wrong, it's just an opinion really. Iowa will never recruit at a tier one level. There are only three programs , soon to be four in the B1G that do. Iowa excels at getting the most out of their talent level. Kirk Ferentz is a better coach then James Franklin. He is probably better then most B1G coaches as far as development. You think Ryan Day could get more out of less? Jim Tressel was better then Ryan Day. He just didn't get the top end players ,because he was so focused on a certain region, and certain style. Ohio State is now an electric nationwide recruiting power. Their defense, and discipline are not at the level they used to be. Alabama is the same thing. They churn out top offenses, pro prospects, and just a more exciting brand of football.
Whenever Ferentz decides to hang up the whistle, the question is going to be does Iowa go outside their blueprint. It's a fool's errand to think Ferentz isn't going away on his terms. He has been too loyal, too successful , and is too respected to be sent to the glue factory. Joe Paterno was only forced out due that horrific scandal. Bobby Bowden was at Florida State, a program that sees itself as a perennial top ten program( even if they weren't before Bobby, or since). Ohio State would still likely have Jim Tressel winning nine, or ten games, but not being what they are now had the tattoo scandal happened.
So Kirk Ferentz isn't going anywhere. You can take comfort in that, or be frustrated because you want to see Iowa look like an offensive powerhouse. Once again neither side is wrong here.