IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz defended his program Wednesday just weeks after the Hawkeyes finished his 16th season in charge on a losing skid. Ferentz met with reporters for the first time since Iowa’s humiliating loss to Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl. The Hawkeyes closed the season with three straight losses to finish 7-6. They were 4-4 in the Big Ten.

Ferentz said he intends to keep his coaching staff intact — including offensive coordinator Greg Davis and defensive coordinator Phil Parker — despite inconsistencies on both sides of the ball last season.