Kirk Ferentz and his offensive coordinator, Ken O'Keefe, are probably entrenched for a while. Going to Oklahoma to coach quarterbacks and be the Sooners' passing-game coordinator is a forward step. I'm going to miss this place very much, needless to say. But this is a great step. Long has been a Hawkeye assistant for five years.
Some college coaches are content to remain position coaches.
Others, like Long, aren't. That was clear when he applied for Iowa's head coaching job last year. When his role at Iowa didn't change a year ago, he knew it was time to look around. Unfortunately, you don't have 100 schools all in one area. It's a tough spot for Long, moving his wife and five children to Norman.