Iowa's Ferentz named Walter Camp coach of year

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Kirk Ferentz, who led Iowa to a share of the Big Ten title and a berth in the Orange Bowl, has been selected as the Walter Camp Foundation's coach of the year.

Ranked third nationally in both college football polls, Iowa finished 11-1 overall and 8-0 in the Big Ten under Ferentz, three years after compiling a 1-10 mark in Ferentz's first season.

The Hawkeyes will meet fifth-ranked Southern California in the Orange Bowl on Thursday in Miami.

Led by quarterback Brad Banks, the Heisman Trophy runner-up to USC quarterback Carson Palmer, Iowa averaged a conference-best 38.9 points per game. In addition, the Hawkeyes ranked second in the nation in rushing defense.

Ferentz was named Iowa coach in December 1998 after spending six years as an assistant and offensive line coach of the Baltimore Ravens. He served as an assistant under Hayden Fry at Iowa from 1981-89.

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