Kirk Ferentz, Iowa Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

As the Iowa Hawkeyes make a push toward the College Football Playoff, head coach Kirk Ferentz signed a contract extension Tuesday that will keep him in the position through 2026. 

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports tweeted Iowa's press release, which noted Ferentz's previous contract ran through the 2020 season:

"

Iowa extends Kirk Ferentz’s contract through 2026. pic.twitter.com/L4f9AM8EmP

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) September 6, 2016"

According to Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports, the new deal bumps up Ferentz's annual earnings to $4.5 million.

Ferentz has been Iowa's head coach since 1999 and holds a career record of 128-87.

The 61-year-old Michigan native enjoyed his best campaign as a head coach last season, leading the Hawkeyes to a 12-2 record and a berth in the Rose Bowl.

If not for Michigan State's late, game-winning drive in the Big Ten title contest, Iowa would have qualified for the CFP.

Iowa entered 2016 ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25 poll, and it defeated the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks 45-21 in its season opener last weekend.

While the Hawkeyes tend to get overlooked in the Big Ten behind perennial powers such as Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State, Ferentz has led them to bowl games in seven of the past eight seasons.

Ferentz was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the fourth time last season, and with Michigan being the only preseason Top 25 team on Iowa's schedule in 2016, he has a great chance at another strong season.

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