CEDAR FALLS, Ia. — His success is indisputable.
And yet, Mark Farley is generally under-appreciated, not only statewide, but even among some Northern Iowa football fans.
With the Panthers’ next victory — which could come in Saturday’s season opener at Iowa State — the 53-year-old Farley will stand alone as the school’s all-time winningest coach.
When considering the climate in which Farley has approached this milestone, a case can be made that’s he is not only the best football coach in Northern Iowa history, but also the most important and influential.
Stan Sheriff, the man who inspired and oversaw construction of the UNI-Dome in the 1970s, compiled a 129-101-4 record from 1960-82.