Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley says the school took a chance on him as a player, assistant coach and head coach. Farley announced he is retiring at the end of this season, his 24th as head coach.

It is a run that has included seven conference championships, 13 trips to the FCS playoffs and an appearance in the national title game in 2005. This season has been a disappointment. The Panthers take an 0-6 Missouri Valley record on the road to Youngstown State this weekend.

Farley wanted to make the announcement at the end of the season but with the signing date coming at at the beginning of December he felt making the announcement now was fair to the University as well as the players he was recruiting.

Farley says with N-I-L and the transfer portal coaching has changed and not for the better.

Farley says the job has become more taxing the past few years.

Farley when asked what he would tell the Mark Farley who took the job in 2004.

With 182 victories, Farley is UNI’s all-time leader in wins. He would like to get a couple of more before he’s done.

The Panthers close the season at home on November 23rd.