Bob Stoops retires at Oklahoma: Who's the longest tenured college football head coach?

Bob Stoops retires at Oklahoma: Who’s the longest tenured college football head coach?

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 2: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against the Florida Gators on January 2, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

There’s a new sheriff in town, as Kirk Ferentz is now college football’s longest tenured head coach.

Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops stunned the college football world on Wednesday, retiring after 18 years with the Sooners. Lincoln Riley, who was Stoops’ OC, will take over as permanent head coach. Stoops was the NCAA’s longest tenured head coach until his announced departure. That title now belongs to Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz.

Ferentz accepted the Hawkeyes head coaching job on Dec. 2, 1998. Ironically enough, Stoops was hired just one day before. The 61-year-old is currently heading into his 19th season as head coach of Iowa. However, he just is the second longest tenured coach in school history. As a matter of fact, Ferentz trails only Hayden Fry, who coached the school for 20 years (1979-1998).

After signing a contract extension with the Hawkeyes in 2016, Ferentz will likely snatch the crown from Fry in two seasons. The school upped his pay grade to around $4.5 million a year and extended his contract through the 2026 season. Ferentz earned the extension after an appearance in the Rose Bowl the previous year.

Ferentz has spent 19 years as head coach of Iowa, but a total of 28 at the school. He joined Fry’s staff as an offensive line coach in 1981. In 1990, he accepted the head coaching job at Maine, where he spent two seasons. From there, he traveled to the National Football League. Throughout his time in the NFL, Ferentz coached offensive line for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens for six seasons. At this point, Ferentz was named the 26th head coach in Iowa Hawkeyes history in 1998.

During his tenure in Iowa City, Ferentz has compiled a head coaching record of 135-92. He has two Big Ten titles to his name in 2002 and 2004, along with a Big Ten West Division title in 2015. Among other awards, Ferentz has been named AP College Football Coach of the Year (2002) and has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year four times (2002, 2004, 2009, 2015).

Next: Bob Stoops to retire; Riley to replace

Ferentz will likely retain the title of longest tenured head coach, as his contract extension serves no signs of his plans to retire anytime soon.

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