Bob Stoops

[NevadaHawk]

Forget Bob Stoops. Not going to happen. Give it a rest.

 

[hawkmart]

Few hings get a lengthy response from me...but this scenario and topic does. Your first part is true. He had put OU off as long as he could. He interview with them the Tuesday or Wednesday (cant remember that detail anymore) before thanksgiving. By the following Monday, his Iowa interview day, he had an ultimatum from OU. We wouldn't offer at his interview. He excused himself, called OU, returned to the committee interview and informed them he just took the OU job. OU announced later that Monday.

The interview order was Terry Allen before Thanksgiving, a courtesy talk/int with Long and Patterson over the weekend, Bob Stoops(Monday) then Kirk Ferentz (Wednesday). Out of that pool, stoops knew them all, and knew there was only one viable candidate...the one trailing him on the schedule.

People were steamed. No message boards then. However, the ADept, UI Foundation and Pres all put messages on their answering machines that they were not fielding calls on the search. Faxes , phones, and emails to those offices blew up. The overwhelming tenor was anti Allen and anti Bowlsby.

Ferentz interviewed well. Mark Jennings and Marv Cook knew him well (Stoops too). Bowlsby had this railroaded for Terry Allen. Marv and Mark, who were more football savvy and in touch with Iowa grassroots supporters and football alumni said to Bowlsby- you can't hire him.

At the Ferentz welcome reception after the introductory press conference, which occurred in the Levitt Center for Advancement, Bowlsby looked like a dead man. Literally very few people would speak to him...even those that were actually glad to have Kirk come back. I personally made a point to talk to him. I said you made a great choice..He was grateful and thanked me.

A few other tidbits- The stoops camp was trying to reach Bowlsby to have the interview schedule changed because of the OU offer. He wouldn't take the calls. Mike Stoops then made calls to people at the foundation and the football department and strongly let hem know the OU offer and ultimatum.

Furthermore, Ferentz was actually not sought by Iowa. As Bowlsby was positioning this for Allen(before thanksgiving), members of Fry's last staff called Ferentz and said he needs to throw his hat in the ring. He did. He actually applied.

Additionally, Terry Allen had a team meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Lawrence. After Cook/Jennings put their foot down, Terry Allen got a call from his old pal. The team meetings and subsequent PC in Lawrence were then changed to say 'his heart' was at KU, and he's staying. He was on the hot seat and fired a year or so later.

It was a crazy few days - a legend retiring, no secret search firms in those days (or under utilized ones), poorly managed politics by Bowlsby, incredible uprising from the donors - back before TV and Conference money marginalized them. I had a wonderful view of this because of knowing people on the search committee, in the pres office, the foundation office, the fb staff, and knew Mike, Bobby and Kirk well at that point in time in time.

Marv Cook, and Mark Jennings, and Kirk Ferentz saved Iowa football from Bob Bowlsby.

Because of the heat, and Bowlsby who was fairly unpopular at this point of his time at Iowa, pushed some blame to the search committee structure. Right around the corner was a controversial basketball decision. Bowlsby was allowed to work without a search committee, and he hired Steve Alford. I contend, the search committee worked.

Believe it if you want. It was an interesting time and era for sure.

FWIW, Bob Stoops would have NO part in pushing Ferentz out, or replacing him. In fact he would be very critical of his alma mater if that were ever to pass.

On the last part I've heard the same. They're very tight and get together for dinner regularly. I remember all the crazy rumors flying back at that time, Stoops had already purchased a house out by the rez before the interview if I recall

 

[cecilB]

There's always that one guy who "knows" everyone and has connections that not even the pres or AD can boast. So use your "connections" and supreme influence and get us a coach who can take us to the next level like other coaches can do at universities that are pretty low when they arrive, instead of constantly keeping us down.

I don't weigh in often, but in this scenario...as I believe was articulated, I had a very interesting front row seat for this period of Iowa Football. You can be as cynical as want. As for your suggestion, only one of the cast of characters referenced is still connected with the Iowa Athletic Department (Ferentz), I speak to him at a booster event every other year or so. So, I really can't help you out and help get someone who 'doesn't hold us down'...if that is what you call it.

Speaking of that, and using your own words - the current head coach ' took over something that was "pretty low" when they arrived', and has gone on to 15 bowl games in 19 years(probably going to be 16 in 20 years---and bowl eligible in 17 of 20(eligible but didn't bowl in 2008), 4 Big Ten COY honors, National COY twice, top 5 ever in Big Ten wins, perhaps even finishing this year as number 1 on the all-time Iowa win list. I really don't get what you mean by 'holding us' down.

 

[BetterLuckNextTime]

I don't weigh in often, but in this scenario...as I believe was articulated, I had a very interesting front row seat for this period of Iowa Football. You can be as cynical as want. As for your suggestion, only one of the cast of characters referenced is still connected with the Iowa Athletic Department (Ferentz), I speak to him at a booster event every other year or so. So, I really can't help you out and help get someone who 'doesn't hold us down'...if that is what you call it.

Speaking of that, and using your own words - the current head coach ' took over something that was "pretty low" when they arrived', and has gone on to 15 bowl games in 19 years(probably going to be 16 in 20 years---and bowl eligible in 17 of 20(eligible but didn't bowl in 2008), 4 Big Ten COY honors, National COY twice, top 5 ever in Big Ten wins, perhaps even finishing this year as number 1 on the all-time Iowa win list. I really don't get what you mean by 'holding us' down.

Yeah you're right. I can't believe how much he has overachieved.

 

[danny14]

What other coaches have Iowa connections, that might be considered, when KF retires in the next few years???

 

[N.Legend]

I think Stoops needs a year or two off to recharge. I do think he would come out of retirement to coach and retire at Iowa eventually.

Have you heard...Santa Claus is not for real.

 

[Randall Stanhope]

Here is a comprehensive list of all Iowa football supporters who preferred Terry Allen over Bob Stoops in 1998:

1) Bob Bowlsby

 

[amahawk]

He has already made it pretty clear he has no interest in a future college or pro spot. He has indicated some administrative spot would suit him well. I heard this about the time everyone across the river signed Riley's death warrant!

Stoops for AD!

 

[LincolnHawk]

There were absolutely message boards at the time.

Also, you forgot to include that none other than Dan Gable was on the hiring committee, and in on the interviews. Gable (who happens to be one of Stoop's idols) wanted to hire Stoops on the spot, but Bowlsby refused. Gable said they would regret it, and they did after Stoops took the OU job. We lucked out and fell back on Ferentz. Terry Allen would have taken us to the stone ages, like Licklighter did to our basketball program.

Few hings get a lengthy response from me...but this scenario and topic does. Your first part is true. He had put OU off as long as he could. He interview with them the Tuesday or Wednesday (cant remember that detail anymore) before thanksgiving. By the following Monday, his Iowa interview day, he had an ultimatum from OU. We wouldn't offer at his interview. He excused himself, called OU, returned to the committee interview and informed them he just took the OU job. OU announced later that Monday.

The interview order was Terry Allen before Thanksgiving, a courtesy talk/int with Long and Patterson over the weekend, Bob Stoops(Monday) then Kirk Ferentz (Wednesday). Out of that pool, stoops knew them all, and knew there was only one viable candidate...the one trailing him on the schedule.

People were steamed. No message boards then. However, the ADept, UI Foundation and Pres all put messages on their answering machines that they were not fielding calls on the search. Faxes , phones, and emails to those offices blew up. The overwhelming tenor was anti Allen and anti Bowlsby.

Ferentz interviewed well. Mark Jennings and Marv Cook knew him well (Stoops too). Bowlsby had this railroaded for Terry Allen. Marv and Mark, who were more football savvy and in touch with Iowa grassroots supporters and football alumni said to Bowlsby- you can't hire him.

At the Ferentz welcome reception after the introductory press conference, which occurred in the Levitt Center for Advancement, Bowlsby looked like a dead man. Literally very few people would speak to him...even those that were actually glad to have Kirk come back. I personally made a point to talk to him. I said you made a great choice..He was grateful and thanked me.

A few other tidbits- The stoops camp was trying to reach Bowlsby to have the interview schedule changed because of the OU offer. He wouldn't take the calls. Mike Stoops then made calls to people at the foundation and the football department and strongly let hem know the OU offer and ultimatum.

Furthermore, Ferentz was actually not sought by Iowa. As Bowlsby was positioning this for Allen(before thanksgiving), members of Fry's last staff called Ferentz and said he needs to throw his hat in the ring. He did. He actually applied.

Additionally, Terry Allen had a team meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Lawrence. After Cook/Jennings put their foot down, Terry Allen got a call from his old pal. The team meetings and subsequent PC in Lawrence were then changed to say 'his heart' was at KU, and he's staying. He was on the hot seat and fired a year or so later.

It was a crazy few days - a legend retiring, no secret search firms in those days (or under utilized ones), poorly managed politics by Bowlsby, incredible uprising from the donors - back before TV and Conference money marginalized them. I had a wonderful view of this because of knowing people on the search committee, in the pres office, the foundation office, the fb staff, and knew Mike, Bobby and Kirk well at that point in time in time.

Marv Cook, and Mark Jennings, and Kirk Ferentz saved Iowa football from Bob Bowlsby.

Because of the heat, and Bowlsby who was fairly unpopular at this point of his time at Iowa, pushed some blame to the search committee structure. Right around the corner was a controversial basketball decision. Bowlsby was allowed to work without a search committee, and he hired Steve Alford. I contend, the search committee worked.

Believe it if you want. It was an interesting time and era for sure.

FWIW, Bob Stoops would have NO part in pushing Ferentz out, or replacing him. In fact he would be very critical of his alma mater if that were ever to pass.

re mess