Kirk Ferentz is a proud man who has not had much to be proud about.

Sure, he is enjoying his days in his second year as the Hawkeyes coach, but Saturdays have not been as fun. In almost two seasons since he has replaced legendary coach Hayden Fry, Ferentz has posted a measly 2-18 mark as he vies to resurrect a program that once had a tradition as fabled at its wrestling team.

After all, Fry leaves Shaquille-O'Neal size shoes to fill.

Under Fry Iowa won three Big Ten championships.

Iowa claimed two Top-10 finishes.

And Iowa finished with a 143-89-6 mark for the past 20 seasons.

"To me, it all starts with coach Fry's program and his leadership," Ferentz said.

But when Fry retired after he posted a 3-8 mark his final season, the Hawkeyes were left with an inexperienced team that had not only lost a respected coach, but a respected citizen as well.

Since Fry's departure, Iowa has struggled to obtain those elusive wins, having prevailed in one contest -- a 24-0 drubbing against Northern Illinois. And no wins against eight mighty Big Ten foes, including nine consecutive losses last season.

"The thing for us is just to get the winning feeling back in Iowa City" Hawkeyes linebacker LeVar Woods said. "That game that we won, everyone was excited. It's just hard when you lose that many games. It's hard."

As hard as it was for Ferentz and the Hawkeyes to overcome the adversity from last season's disappointment, Ferentz and the Hawkeyes entered this season optimistic that the waning program could still be turned around.

"The learn attitude to me has been the strength of our football team," Ferentz said. "That's an Iowa tradition. We've always had great players to work with, and our guys have worked really hard. Our focus is just on improvement. We are not putting a timetable on anything or saying we have to be here by then. That is silly and short-sided. Our thing is just trying to improve every day."

This season, Ferentz has helped his team do just that. Although, it has not showed up in Iowa's record column. Start with the first game.

Iowa competed against Kansas State in a preseason contest (the Eddie Robinson Classic) at Arrowhead Stadium and the Hawkeyes hung tough in a 27-7 defeat against a team with more talent and more experience. It was the same story against Western Michigan (21-27), Iowa State (14-24) and Nebraska (13-42). The Hawkeyes could contend for victories but could not find a way to come away as victors.

"They are playing some very good football," Illinois coach Ron Turner said. "They are getting better with every game they have played. They are playing the toughest schedule in the country and they are a lot better than what their record indicates. I am very impressed with the job coach Ferentz is doing."

It is part of The Ferentz Method. To be the best, Ferentz wants to play the best. The man loves a challenge.

But he knows it is going to take time. And patience. And poise. That latter two are both qualities Ferentz possesses whether it is coaching practice or attending a press conference where the media scrutinize ever facet of his team from the third-string, walk-on tight ends to the starting quarterbacks.

Ferentz knows it will be a tough journey to rebuild his team, but is optimistic he can be the driving force to bring the Hawkeyes to the same prestige they enjoyed when Fry patrolled the sidelines and Tim Dwight sped through secondaries.

"I don't see it being a long, winding road," Ferentz said. "We have a lot of work to do. I am not naive or unrealistic either. But can it happen? Yes, there is no question it can. Hopefully, it will be in our lifetimes. You know what I am saying? I hope we're all live to see it."

So is Ferentz. This is a coach who came into the Big Ten the same season as Northwestern's Randy Walker. Walker, like Ferentz, struggled through his first season. But this year, the Wildcats are legitimate contenders to claim the Big Ten title while the Hawkeyes continue to struggle week in and week out.

"They have gotten better, better and better," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "Kirk Ferentz has done a good job coaching them."

Still, Ferentz is vying to make his players collegiate experience more memorable with something the Hawkeyes can savor after they graduate and after their eligibility expires. There is nothing like losing and there is nothing like winning. That is why Ferentz puts in the long hours, goes on the long recruiting trips and makes the appearances.

He is working to turn the program around for his fans and for his university and for his players.

"It's really devastating," Hawkeyes wide receiver Kevin Kasper. "You know, you start losing games, and you are not used to it and, obviously, me and the other players, we hate to lose. Everybody, we are competitors. And never at one point did one of decide that we are going to hang it up. We feel like this: we go out there every day and practice getting ready for the next game like it was the Rose Bowl."

That will not happen this season. But Ferentz keeps scouring the tapes, working with his players and giving the officials the business.

The Hawkeyes are not about to call it quits. Neither is Ferentz.

He does not feel pressure, either. He doesn't care about that stuff. He just wants to salvage what he can from this season and continue to build the program.

And that could build a legacy of his own.

"We have great facilities, we have great tradition, we have a great campus, we have a great school, we have a great state and we have great support," Ferentz said. "So I feel very, very lucky to be there right now and I don't think there is any question we can do the things we have to do to be successful."'