To Barta's credit, he has a number of undeniable accomplishments as AD, from hiring Fran McCaffery to resurrect a moribund men’s basketball program (and keeping him for 13 years and counting), to bringing the transformative Rick Heller onboard for baseball, to modernizing Hawkeye football and basketball facilities, to sustaining healthy, successful partnerships with the likes of Kirk Ferentz, Tom Brands, and Lisa Bluder. On coaching hires alone, even with the early swing-and-miss on Todd Lickliter, Barta would earn a B to B+.
But while Barta deserves his flowers for savvy coaching hires and facility upgrades, the costly settlements and PR blunders have sapped his credibility. There is no other way to put it.
New piece from old GIA friend @HaydensDumplings, with more on the topic to come:
iowa.rivals.com
But while Barta deserves his flowers for savvy coaching hires and facility upgrades, the costly settlements and PR blunders have sapped his credibility. There is no other way to put it.
New piece from old GIA friend @HaydensDumplings, with more on the topic to come:
Go Iowa Awesome - Herky as Tax Collector: Public Dollars to Defray Settlement Cost
The real (March) madness—Barta and athletic department litigation overshadow sustained Hawkeye success.
iowa.rivals.com
