Iowa Athletics release (edited)
07/26/21
Nine head coaches of University of Iowa intercollegiate athletic programs have received contract extensions. The announcement was made Monday by Gary Barta, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair.
Head coaches given extensions include the sports of men’s basketball (Fran McCaffery to June 2028), wrestling (Tom Brands to June 2028), baseball (Rick Heller to June 2026), women’s soccer (Dave DiIanni to June 2026), women’s basketball (Lisa Bluder to June 2026), women’s golf (Megan Menzel to June 2024), softball (Renee Gillispie to June 2026), field hockey (Lisa Cellucci to June 2026) and women’s tennis (Sasha Schmid to June 2024). A number of assistant coaches in several sports also received contract extensions.
Head football coach Kirk Ferentz’s current contract runs through January 2026.
“It is with great pleasure that we are able to reward our head coaches in these sports with contract extensions and adjustments,” said Barta. “I am proud of our coaches, staff and student-athletes for their successes in competition, but just as importantly for the professionalism displayed in going about their business, both athletically and academically, throughout a very difficult time due to COVID-19.”
The overall success of Iowa athletics in 2020-21 included six Big Ten Conference championships, the NCAA national championship in wrestling and an NCAA Final Four appearance by Field Hockey. Hawkeye teams won Big Ten titles in soccer (postseason), women’s gymnastics (regular season), wrestling (regular season and postseason), and men’s track and field in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Iowa’s final ranking in the Learfield IMG College Director’s Cup (30th) marks its highest finish in the overall sports standings since 1997.
Overall, six Hawkeye head coaches earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, six Hawkeyes were named conference Player/Athlete of the Year, and three Hawkeyes earned Freshman of the Year honors. Sixteen of Iowa’s 24 sports programs advanced to postseason competition (team or individuals).