Adam Hicks
Author
When Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz notched his 205th career win, he didn’t just add another number to the win column — he tied the legendary Woody Hayes for the most victories by a head coach in Big Ten history. It was a quietly monumental moment that bridged two vastly different eras of the conference.
Two very different men. Two very different programs. Yet now forever linked by a number that symbolizes not just success — but sustained excellence in one of college football’s most unforgiving arenas.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes each coach a legend in his own right.
“You win with people.”
That simple phrase became the bedrock of Woody Hayes’ philosophy. A fiery and intense figure on the sidelines, Hayes demanded excellence — not just from his players, but from himself.
Known for his “three yards and a cloud of dust” offense, Hayes favored gritty, physical football built on overpowering opponents at the line of scrimmage. But his methods weren’t purely tactical — they were deeply personal.
“Paralyze resistance with persistence,” he would often say, echoing his belief that discipline and resilience were the keys to life — not just football.
Under his leadership:
Yet, it wasn’t all glory. His career ended abruptly in 1978 after he punched a Clemson player during the Gator Bowl, leading to his immediate dismissal.
Still, his influence on the game is immeasurable — from the lineage of coaches he mentored to the passionate fanbase he helped build at Ohio State.
“We’re not flashy. We’re just focused.”
That line, delivered after a gritty win in 2021, perfectly encapsulates Kirk Ferentz’s Iowa program — built on consistency, development, and execution.
Taking over in 1999, Ferentz inherited a struggling team and rebuilt it from the ground up. By the early 2000s, Iowa was winning double-digit games, producing first-round NFL picks, and becoming one of the most respected developmental programs in the country.
“Iowa is a developmental program. That’s who we are and what we believe in,” Ferentz has said repeatedly.
And that belief has paid off.
“We try to focus on things we can control: effort, attitude, and how we prepare,” Ferentz said after his 200th win.
“You don’t need 5-stars to play tough, sound football. You just need the right people.”
Where Woody Hayes built an empire, Kirk Ferentz built a blueprint for sustainable success. And in doing so, they shaped not just programs but a culture of toughness, loyalty, and grit within the Big Ten.
“Hayes won national titles. Ferentz wins over time. Both shaped the identity of the Big Ten in their own era,” said a former Big Ten assistant.
Visual Comparison Chart: Woody Hayes vs. Kirk Ferentz
Category Woody Hayes Kirk Ferentz Coaching Tenure 1951–1978
(28 seasons)1999–Present
(27 seasons)Overall Record 205–61–10 205–154 Big Ten Titles 13 2 (shared) National Championships 5 (1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970) 0 Bowl Appearances 9 (4–5 record) 22 (11-11) Heisman Trophy Winners Coached 3 (Janowicz, Cassady, Griffin x2) 0 Big Ten Coach of the Year 4 (1954, 1957, 1961, 1968) 4 (2002, 2004, 2009, 2015) National Coach of the Year Awards Approx. 5 AFCA (2015), Eddie Robinson (2015) Signature Coaching Style Physical, run-heavy, fiery Disciplined, developmental, steady
Two men. One milestone.
But beyond the numbers lies something deeper: leadership, identity, and the ability to build something that lasts.
In an era when college football coaching staffs churn at an unprecedented pace — where five-year tenures are often seen as lengthy, and coaches are judged almost solely by immediate results the longevity of Kirk Ferentz and the enduring legacy of Woody Hayes stand in stark contrast.
Today, the game is marked by constant pressure to win quickly, leading to frequent coaching changes, program overhauls, and an emphasis on short-term gains over sustainable success. It’s a landscape where building a lasting culture, nurturing player development, and cultivating loyalty are increasingly rare.
Ferentz’s more than two decades at Iowa, and Hayes’s nearly three decades at Ohio State, represent a bygone era of patience, commitment, and trust — where coaches were allowed to shape programs with vision and perseverance. Their stories remind us that true greatness isn’t measured solely by wins or trophies, but by the ability to leave a legacy that transcends the scoreboard.
And now, in the Big Ten’s long and storied history, their names — and win totals — stand side by side.
Stephen Leonard
Ohio State Writer
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