LINCOLN — Kirk Ferentz was ready to turn Rick Kaczenski loose on Tuesday. Nebraska wasn't ready to say if it would be his next stop.
Ferentz said in brief statement that Kaczenski is leaving the Hawkeyes after seven seasons, including the last five as defensive line coach.
Kaczenski met with his Iowa players Tuesday, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, and will not coach in the Insight Bowl on Dec. 30. He did not respond to a message left on his cell phone.
"Defensive Line Coach Rick Kaczenski has decided to leave our staff for another coaching opportunity," Ferentz's statement read. "During the last five years, Rick contributed greatly to our program. We wish Rick and his family the best."
Nebraska has an opening on its staff after Carl Pelini stepped down as defensive coordinator to become head coach at Florida Atlantic. FootballScoop.com reported Sunday that his position would be filled by Kaczenski, 36, a former Notre Dame offensive lineman and native of Erie, Pa.
After Iowa released Ferentz's statement, an NU spokesman told The World-Herald that the Huskers were not planning any type of announcement Tuesday.
Nebraska's current defensive line coach is fourth-year assistant John Papuchis. But Papuchis is considered a strong candidate to be promoted to defensive coordinator.
The Kaczenski announcement follows Norm Parker, 70, saying he would resign as the Hawkeyes' defensive coordinator after the Insight Bowl. Kaczenski has worked under Parker since 2007 after spending two seasons with the Iowa offensive linemen as a graduate assistant.
Kaczenski came to Iowa after one season at Elon, and also had coaching stops at East Tennessee State, South Carolina State and South Carolina (under Lou Holtz).
Among the defensive linemen he has worked with at Iowa have been Adrian Clayborn, Karl Klug, Christian Ballard, Broderick Binns and Mitch King. Kaczenski heads the Hawkeyes' recruiting efforts in Florida, although Iowa currently has just four Florida natives on its roster.
Kaczenski made $179,280 this year as the lowest-paid assistant on the Iowa staff. Three newcomers to the Nebraska staff made less in 2011 — Ross Els at $170,000, Rich Fisher at $160,000 and John Garrison at $140,000.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com
twitter.com/RKaipustOWH
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
RSS Feeds