Report: Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz suspended for Cade McNamara transfer violation | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors
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Iowa will be without head coach Kirk Ferentz for the first game of the 2024 season because he is suspended for a recruiting violation.
According to The Athletic Scott DochtermanFerentz’s suspension stems from the team’s intention to pursue quarterback Cade McNamara before the transfer portal opens in 2022.
It is unclear whether the suspension was imposed by the NCAA or Iowa, but Dochterman noted that Ferentz is expected to speak to the media at a press conference on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
McNamara played three seasons at Michigan from 2020 to 2022 and started all 14 games in 2021. He competed with JJ McCarthy for the starting spot in 2022, but an injury to his right knee that required operation ended his season after three games.
After McCarthy established himself as the Wolverines’ best quarterback, entered the transfer portal on November 28, 2022 – the day of its opening.
According to Dochterman, there was “mutual interest” between McNamara and the Hawkeyes as early as November 29. He committed to Iowa on December 1.
McNamara was Iowa’s starter last season, but he suffered a cruciate ligament tear in his left knee during a win over Michigan State that ended his 2023 season after five games.
The 24-year-old announced in October that he would return to the Hawkeyes for his final season in 2024. He is projected will again be the starter, with redshirt freshman Marco Lainez and junior Brendan Sullivan likely as the backups.
As part of the investigation, wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr is also expected to be suspended for one game.
According to Dochterman, Budmayr had previously recruited McNamara when he was an assistant coach at Wisconsin, and that relationship helped the quarterback choose Iowa.
Iowa will open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Illinois State at Kinnick Stadium. Ferentz is entering his 26th season as head coach of the Hawkeyes. He has a record of 196-119 with 20 bowl game appearances and two Big Ten titles.