in january 2009, rumors surfaced citing ferentz as a potential candidate to be hired as head coach in place of herman edwards soon after the hiring of former new england patriots vp of player personnel scott pioli as the new gm of the kansas city chiefs. however, the chiefs eventually hired todd haley, and ferentz received a contract extension to remain at iowa through 2020. in december 2011, rumors again surfaced citing ferentz as a potential candidate to replace haley. similar rumors surfaced a year later in december 2012. ferentz has said that there was no reason to leave iowa as iowa has everything he needed.