I was pretty young during his brief time at Iowa, but stories of his arm strength are still around. What was it about him that made Hayden pick Hartlieb as the permanent starter? Inaccuracy? Attitude problems?
Dan McGwire
- Thread starter Kinnick.At.Night
- Start date
Sorry Dan, I can't help you on this one.
He had an arm, but not very mobile. I think Hartlieb was just an overall all around better QB in my book. McGwire went to San Diego State and had a solid career throwing it all around the yard there. When McGwire was at Iowa, that was the year (dare I say) I attended Iowa State. Jim Walden was a guest teacher one day and all he did was bash Iowa football, Hayden Fry and I remember him saying quote "Dan McGwire wasn't a good enough player to be a TE on his team, let alone a QB". LOL From Walden's on field results it was clear he had no idea what he was talking about. LOL
Walden was a consummate goober. I remember hearing him on WHO at one point and thinking...JFC, what a hillbilly.
McGwire was big, physical and looked impressive on a practice field. He was also one dimensional and by all accounts had a bit of a California attitude. His size also worked against him, more than for him...if you listen to some analysts.
When his brother blew up in 1987 with the A's, Dan apparently thought he was the one hitting all those home runs and got a little cocky. Hayden didn't care for any player who thought he was bigger than the team. That was McG, and that's why he transferred to San Diego St.
I, I, I, me , me , me. No shortage of self love going on there
McGwire made impressive throws. Hartlieb moved the team.
I think it was the spring game where he hit an Iowa receiver in stride and in the face mask on very long pass..like 65 yards. I want to say that Hayden fanned the flames in the spring game presser and probably wanted McGwire to succeed. Always nice to have a big name at Iowa. He just didn’t have it that first game against. TN and Hartlieb won the job on the field a few games later.
That was his problem, always wanted the home run ball, even on third down. He seldom moved the chains. But wow, what an arm.
His throw was 80 yards. I was at the spring game.
McGwire was supposed to start against Mich St but was puking in locker room from nervousness. Fry went with Hartlieb and he never gave up the job.
McGwire was supposed to start against Mich St but was puking in locker room from nervousness. Fry went with Hartlieb and he never gave up the job.
I seem to recall he threw one of the most beautiful balls you'll ever see, but there was no zip on shorter range throws. They all had a certain high arc to them that made them easier to defend.
And yes...the mobility of a sloth.
And yes...the mobility of a sloth.
Correct.
That whole season-or at least it FELT like the whole season--we had to hear Musburger say, over and over, "I hope Iowa gets a big lead so we can see Biiiig Daaaan McGwiiire!"
He played all but the final drive vs MSU in '87, but got injured. Hartlieb came in for the final drive, completed 6 of 6 and took the team down to about the 20, but got sacked on 4th down.
(Oops- dummy didn't notice the video and dummy's memory wasn't all that great...)
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It really comes down to this. Chuck II had the highest IQ ever tested at the NFL draft combine and Dan was probably the dumbest kid Ol' John Hayden ever recruited at QB.
Shouldn't have needed any with that incredible mullet. That alone should have propelled him to prominence.
I was at Iowa then class of '89 and got to know his HS teammate and buddy Travis Watkins thru a friend on the team. We used to go for dime draws at the Sports Column in the latter 80's. TW said that Dan did struggle w/ Snyder's offense a bit and just simply wasn't ready when Hartlieb got the nod over him. If he stuck around and matured/ developed he may have been the eventual QB but he bolted so fast that he left only a woosh of wind on his way outta town. The other problem was his touch on the ball. He threw it so hard his WR's had trouble catching hiss passes at times. His arm strength was epic but every pass was shot out of a cannon!
I dont know but Im glad Hartlieb played. He was my favorite QB to watch and remains so.
I think my dad used to get annoyed by my mom and my aunt always gushing over Chuck Hartlieb. He probably had his pick of women in college.
OMG that is pure comedy. The two years McGwire was at Iowa, Iowa beat ISU 43-7 and 48-9.
This is what I remember. He freaked out when he had the chance to start early in his career here.
