Northern Iowa's Mark Farley is Retiring

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I have been following this situation quite closely since the start of the season given the various institutional, state/political factors at play. The mutual decision I'm sure was made in the best interest of both parties.


CEDAR FALLS – University of Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley (https://unipanthers.com/news/2024/11/10/uni-football-head-coach-mark-farley-to-retire-at-conclusion-of-2024-season) announced on Sunday his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Farley will continue to coach the Panthers for the remainder of the season with his final contest coming in the season finale vs. Indiana State on November 23 in the UNI-Dome.

The winningest football coach in UNI and Missouri Valley Football Conference history with 182 victories, Farley's legacy includes seven MVFC Championships, two MVFC Coach of the Year awards and recognition as the 2007 FCS National Coach of the Year. He also guided the Panthers to an appearance in the 2005 FCS National Championship Game. He has compiled a 182-111 overall record in 24 seasons as UNI's head coach, including a 116-65 mark in MVFC play. Farley's record at UNI includes four wins over FBS programs, including three victories over Iowa State.

https://unipanthers.com/news/2024/11/10/uni-football-head-coach-mark-farley-to-retire-at-conclusion-of-2024-season

[neverobeyed]

With two years remaining on his contract and a somewhat better schedule next season (still MVC, though), I expected at least one more year and then some sort of buyout.

The program was financially shorted so much by David Harris while he was AD, but the program has been in a downward slide for ten years.

He always put together great defenses (I was sure another school would offer him a d coordinator position around 2010 or so) but was his own worst enemy on offenses (and calling time outs).

But, damn, he bleeds purple and gold like no other and was an absolute master as recruiting hidden gems in Iowa. I really hope he is offered something in the AD. Franklin seems to be trying to right the ship in Cedar Falls, but there is sooooo much damage to repair.

And so many of his players finished their degrees.

[Redbird 4th & short]

impressive career - would have had more playoff runs if not for the Dakotas, and more wins if not for all the top #1 to 5 SOS ranks most years.

[Bisonator]

Tons of respect for coach Farley hope he enjoys retirement!

With that said this probably should have happened a few years ago, that program has really fallen, I know they have issues with the athletic director and money but seems like Farley's always been behind offensively and recruiting lately.

[Professor Chaos]

As a fan of an opposing school you tend to only look at these guys as competitors and never really see the human side of them - that changed for me when it came to Farley after their 2013 game in Fargo when his son Jake suffered a pretty gruesome broken leg against NDSU. In the post-game presser I saw the human side of Farley that made me understand why he's garnered the respect he has in his coaching career. Here's an article with some of his comments: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/northern-iowa/panthers/1/01/01/uni-football-emotional-farley-discusses-sons-broken-leg-kind-of/2940381/

He referred to himself as "the walk-on from Waukon" as he was a walk-on player at UNI from the small town of Waukon, Iowa. Hopefully he enjoys his retirement - he earned it as I doubt his all-time wins record at UNI will ever be touched.

[Big Cats]

It's sad that coach Farley is retiring after such a down year. But he leaves a strong legacy at UNI and I'm sure our new AD will keep him involved in the program. Big question. Is the UNI head FB coaching position still a desirable job? I'm not sure given the funding issues that it is anymore.

[dbackjon]

Best wishes to a great coach.


Sad the Cap'n isn't here to spend time with him in retirement

[Redbird 4th & short]

It's sad that coach Farley is retiring after such a down year. But he leaves a strong legacy at UNI and I'm sure our new AD will keep him involved in the program. Big question. Is the UNI head FB coaching position still a desirable job? I'm not sure given the funding issues that it is anymore.

Hard to find FCS coaching prospects that will see it as anything more than a stepping stone any more. But any job in the MVFC is a great stepping stone to FBS. Especially one with UNI's history ... I doubt one bad season diminishes it at all. They have always been viewed as right up there (after DSUs) with the best of MVFC. And their SOS was usually well noted by most serious FCS people. It shouldn't be hard to find good prospects, assuming Sports Admin pitches it properly.

ISUr is going thru same thing Spack ... he has one more year left on contract. Fan base is mixed about wanting him back. Succession planning is very important to recruiting AND retention now that were on portal era. Timing could have been a little better by Farley, but guessing AD knew a while ago. Dec 15 early signing date will be hampered. But there's always Feb signing date and portal to fill gaps.

UNI should be an attractive job .. MVFC and Farley's legacy are both big positives.

[Preferred Walk-On]

Congratulations to Coach Farley on a great career at Northern Iowa!

As an aside, I would like to say two things about Coach Farley and Northern Iowa football, as an outsider.



There is no other school (even South Dakota State) that my spouse wanted to see more in the Fargodome than the Panthers. She dislikes all other MVFC football teams, but Northern Iowa was the one she always respected and was most excited to see.
I believe North Dakota State (and by extension, South Dakota State) would not have had the success they ultimately have had, or at least not as quickly, had it not been for Northern Iowa football and Coach Farley. I can remember the Panthers welcoming the Bison to Missouri Valley football in the UNI-Dome by showing them just how physical they would need to be to succeed in the conference. Coach Farley was as hard-nosed as it got, and this was reflected for many years in his teams. Iron sharpens iron.


There is a reason that Northern Iowa was selected for the playoffs over other teams when their record was only just above .500 (besides usually playing a crazy OOC schedule)...everybody knew that the Panthers were going to throw everything (including the kitchen sink) at you, and that if you were not on your game, Northern Iowa was going to beat you...no matter how good you thought you were or how highly you were rated. THAT is a direct reflection of their coach!

[AmsterBison]

I always like Coach Farley. His teams were NDSU's benchmark for physicality.

I hope he has a long and awesome retirement.

[neverobeyed]

Best wishes to a great coach.


Sad the Cap'n isn't here to spend time with him in retirement

Man, Bill is missed. The guy left a big impression, in so many ways.

[ngineer]

Man, Bill is missed. The guy left a big impression, in so many ways.

Yes, I enjoyed the Cap'n's antics on this Board. We also had a good repartee back in 2010 when Lehigh shocked FCS world and upset UNI in "the Dome" in the first round of the playoffs. Coach Farley was not just an excellent coach, but was magnanimous in defeat. It's great to see coaches who 'love' the schools for whom they coach and dedicate so much of their lives to the school. I would think UNI will still make good use of his talents.

[ysubigred]

I'm glad to see the bum go... J.K. He had YSUs number, to say the least. Set the standards in the league for W's. Will be missed as Bill would love to see this day he is also missed.

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