Kirk Ferentz, Hawkeyes set for 2026 Big Ten Media Days in Chicago
Iowa fans, mark your calendars. The 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days are coming to Chicago from July 28-30, and the Hawkeyes will take the stage on Tuesday, July 28 at 11:45 a.m. Central Time.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz will lead the Iowa contingent, joined by defensive back Zach Lutmer, linebacker Jayden Montgomery, and tight end Addison Ostrenga. The event, held at the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue, serves as the unofficial kickoff to the college football season and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
This year's media days carry extra weight. The Big Ten enters the 2026 season riding an unprecedented three-year national championship streak, with Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana each claiming titles. That dominance puts the conference squarely in the national spotlight.
What to expect from Iowa at media days
Ferentz, now entering his 28th season leading the Hawkeyes, is one of the most respected and experienced coaches in the Big Ten. His steady leadership and Iowa's trademark discipline should be a central theme of his media availability.
Iowa fans will want to hear about the team's quarterback situation, the offensive line rebuild, and how the Hawkeyes plan to compete in a loaded conference. The Big Ten West is no more, and Iowa now faces a tougher path through the expanded 18-team league.
The three players accompanying Ferentz represent key positions. Lutmer brings athleticism to the secondary, Montgomery anchors the linebacker corps, and Ostrenga provides a reliable target at tight end — a position Iowa has historically used to great effect.
Big Ten's championship streak sets the stage
The conference arrives in Chicago with bragging rights few can dispute. Three different programs — Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana — have won the last three national titles, flipping college football's power structure.
That streak will frame every conversation inside the Hilton Chicago. Coaches like Indiana's Curt Cignetti, who completed a stunning rise, and Ohio State's Ryan Day, who faces constant scrutiny, will be under the microscope. Oregon's Dan Lanning and USC's Lincoln Riley also carry high expectations.
But for Iowa fans, the focus remains on Ferentz and the Hawkeyes. Can Iowa return to Big Ten title contention? The answers start forming this week in Chicago.
Full Big Ten Media Days schedule
Tuesday, July 28
Illinois (11:30 a.m.) — Bret Bielema
Iowa (11:45 a.m.) — Kirk Ferentz
Penn State (Noon) — Matt Campbell
Rutgers (12:15 p.m.) — Greg Schiano
USC (12:30 p.m.) — Lincoln Riley
Wisconsin (12:45 p.m.) — Luke Fickell
Wednesday, July 29
Michigan State (11:30 a.m.) — Pat Fitzgerald
Minnesota (11:45 a.m.) — P.J. Fleck
Ohio State (Noon) — Ryan Day
Oregon (12:15 p.m.) — Dan Lanning
Purdue (12:30 p.m.) — Barry Odom
UCLA (12:45 p.m.) — Bob Chesney
Thursday, July 30
Indiana (11:30 a.m.) — Curt Cignetti
Maryland (11:45 a.m.) — Mike Locksley
Michigan (Noon) — Kyle Whittingham
Nebraska (12:15 p.m.) — Matt Rhule
Northwestern (12:30 p.m.) — David Braun
Washington (12:45 p.m.) — Jedd Fisch
How to watch Big Ten Media Days
All sessions will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Fans can also stream coverage online through the network's digital platforms. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Central each day.
For Iowa fans, the key session is Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. Ferentz and the players will answer questions from reporters, offering the first real glimpse into the 2026 Hawkeyes before fall camp begins.
What this means for Iowa's season
Media days are more than just interviews. They set the tone for the season ahead. For Iowa, the message will likely center on experience, toughness, and a belief that the Hawkeyes can compete with anyone in the Big Ten.
Ferentz has built a program on consistency and hard-nosed football. In a conference now stacked with high-powered offenses and star quarterbacks, Iowa's formula remains the same: control the line of scrimmage, play sound defense, and win the turnover battle.
Whether that formula is enough to break through in the new-look Big Ten remains to be seen. But for now, the Hawkeyes are ready to take the stage in Chicago.
Photo: CBS Sports