Kirk Ferentz to Kansas City Rumors Squashed by SI's Peter King?

Kirk Ferentz comes from the highly respected Bill Belichick coaching tree and is reported to be a friend with Kansas City Chiefs executive Scott Pioli. 

That's why Ferentz to Chiefs rumors got some buzz even after a lackluster 4-8 season.

In general, college coaches have a spotty track record at the professional level. Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier and Mike Riley are all examples, but the recent success of Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll has again ramped up speculation that flailing NFL teams desperate to win will look to the college ranks. Oregon's Chip Kelly is the the flavor of the month, but Iowa's Kirk Ferentz annually hears his name come up, too. 

There were also rumors to the effect that Ferentz may have been Pioli's top choice for the job.

But it appears as if those Ferentz rumors may have been squashed in their nascent stage by Sports Illustrated's Peter King. (via the Kansas City Chiefs blog Arrowhead Pride)

King reports that Kirk Ferentz will not be the next head coach of the Chiefs. Tsk, tsk to those of you who saw these rumors and did not read our history lesson on Kirk Ferentz rumors

As for Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta, based on his short-and-to-the-point responses to a recent interview request on the subject, he fully expects Ferentz to still be around next year as the longest tenured Big Ten football coach and one of the most powerful coaches in the sport.

But Kansas City isn't the only NFL team with a job opening this offseason, so keep hope alive those of you who are rooting for a new coach.