Brian Ferentz was named tight ends coach for the 2011 season after spending 2010 as an offensive assistant coach. Under his direction, rookie tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez made a big impact.
Coaching
Brian Ferentz was named tight ends coach for the 2011 season after spending 2010 as an offensive assistant coach. Under his direction, rookie tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez made a big impact. Gronkowski finished first among all rookie tight ends with 10 touchdown catches, while Hernandez ranked second with six touchdown receptions. Gronkowski and Hernandez are the first pair of rookie tight ends with at least five touchdowns in the same season in NFL history. Gronkowski's 10 touchdowns rank second in NFL history for a rookie tight end. Only Mike Ditka (12) had more touchdowns as a rookie. Hernandez's 45 receptions in 2010 are the most by a Patriots rookie tight end. Ferentz spent 2009 as a coaching assistant after serving as a scouting assistant for the Patriots during the 2008 season.
Playing
Ferentz played football as an offensive lineman at Iowa from 2001 through 2005. After redshirting in 2001, he became a starter at right guard and center through his college career. As a senior in 2005, he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten, was named a team captain and was selected as recipient of the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” award. After going undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft, Ferentz signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons in May, 2006. He was released by the Falcons on Sept. 2, 2006, and spent the season on the Falcons' practice squad. He was waived by the Falcons on May 14, 2007 and signed by the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 13, 2007, only to be released by the Saints on Sept. 1, 2007.
Personal
He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Iowa in 2006. He is married to wife, Nicole. Ferentz was born March 28, 1983 in Iowa City, Iowa.
