We have a Zoom with Kirk to discuss the bowl announcement.
Opening Statement
Real excited to have this opportunity. I am one of the few people who was there the last time. It was a great experience last time. Thrilled to be back there. Also, thrilled to be playing an outstanding program in Kentucky. Praised Stoops for the job he has done there. Talked about the connection to the Stoops family. Mark was leaving when Kirk left Iowa in 1989 too. Will have our hands full with them.
Tough game last night and didn't play well enough in any of the three areas. Talked to our team about handling adversity. Think the team might need some rest now. Going to finish up school work and into finals next week. Excited about the opportunity and looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Q: Asked about Mark Stoops and him as a player?
Not sure about head coach, but he had no choice to be a coach. It's in the family blood. Dad was a tremendous high school coach. No doubt Bob was going to be a coach. Talked about Bill Braisher and Mark was visiting with him. They were talking and had a comment in the staff meeting and thought if he wasn't a Stoops he was not sure he could play. All three had tremendous career at Iowa and he had done well at Kentucky.
Q: What you remember about Mark as a player?
Probably know more about Bob because he was here as a player and coach. All three were cut from the same cloth. They were different than most college players. They are also good house painters which they did with their dad in the summer.
Q: Asked about Stoops approach....compared them to a Big Ten team in terms of how he built his team?
Have to be honest, I don't know that I have seen a lot. I just know how he approaches things. He will build a great foundation and that's how you have to do it in Kirk's opinion. Had friend who worked there about 18 years ago and the admin there was supportive. Great that he can pick the brains of his brothers and he has done a great job building it brick by brick.
Q: Spencer injury update?
Still discomfort. Nothing in danger. Stained in his abs.
Q: Asked about bowl prep....more emphasis with development?
Not sure why, but finishing about bowl prep in 2015. He really thinks that both teams in the 2015 game were tired coming out of that. Going to be careful with the guys both mentally and physically. Giving some general thoughts. Will work younger guys, but be careful with the older guys who are playing. Appreciate the dedication of the players to get to 10 wins. Probably a better idea on things in a week or so.
Q: Do you expect any players to opt out?
Will have conversations about that sort of stuff this week. No sense of urgency coming up for about a week. They have time to think about it. Hopefully we don't have that transition, but it is a trend in the game today.
Q: Asked about the next ten days block. Probably focused on recruiting...what do the players do now?
They are off until Tuesday and have a meeting a short workout. Two lifts this week and then some work over the weekend. Then finals and then they will start game prep. Going out recruiting this week and hosting some recruits (he said a handful) this coming weekend.
Q: Asked about Will Levis and his time at Penn State?
He remembers that Iowa was the first power five offer for him. He came to camp here and got the offer. Unfortunately Penn State came in. Said he is a first class young man and a very good player.
Q: Does this game have added excitement since there wasn't a bowl game last year?
Last year was so unusual. We were a couple of days into prep before plug was pulled on it. Nothing was normal last year, but this year its been normal. So proud of team and what they have been able to do. Great reward for our players. Great experience last time we were there and thankful for the opportunity.
Q: Asked about the mental outlook after the 2015 game and go to the Rose Bowl. Guys seemed down. What do you have to do to manage that in the coming days to play in a couple of weeks?
Was thinking about it a few weeks ago and just general thinking. Wasn't where we needed to be mentally in that Rose Bowl. Physically they were fine. They have to have a plan as coaches and he thinks the players will be good and that they have great leadership.
That's it from Kirk. Will be talking to Belton and Linderbaum next.
Opening Statement
Real excited to have this opportunity. I am one of the few people who was there the last time. It was a great experience last time. Thrilled to be back there. Also, thrilled to be playing an outstanding program in Kentucky. Praised Stoops for the job he has done there. Talked about the connection to the Stoops family. Mark was leaving when Kirk left Iowa in 1989 too. Will have our hands full with them.
Tough game last night and didn't play well enough in any of the three areas. Talked to our team about handling adversity. Think the team might need some rest now. Going to finish up school work and into finals next week. Excited about the opportunity and looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Q: Asked about Mark Stoops and him as a player?
Not sure about head coach, but he had no choice to be a coach. It's in the family blood. Dad was a tremendous high school coach. No doubt Bob was going to be a coach. Talked about Bill Braisher and Mark was visiting with him. They were talking and had a comment in the staff meeting and thought if he wasn't a Stoops he was not sure he could play. All three had tremendous career at Iowa and he had done well at Kentucky.
Q: What you remember about Mark as a player?
Probably know more about Bob because he was here as a player and coach. All three were cut from the same cloth. They were different than most college players. They are also good house painters which they did with their dad in the summer.
Q: Asked about Stoops approach....compared them to a Big Ten team in terms of how he built his team?
Have to be honest, I don't know that I have seen a lot. I just know how he approaches things. He will build a great foundation and that's how you have to do it in Kirk's opinion. Had friend who worked there about 18 years ago and the admin there was supportive. Great that he can pick the brains of his brothers and he has done a great job building it brick by brick.
Q: Spencer injury update?
Still discomfort. Nothing in danger. Stained in his abs.
Q: Asked about bowl prep....more emphasis with development?
Not sure why, but finishing about bowl prep in 2015. He really thinks that both teams in the 2015 game were tired coming out of that. Going to be careful with the guys both mentally and physically. Giving some general thoughts. Will work younger guys, but be careful with the older guys who are playing. Appreciate the dedication of the players to get to 10 wins. Probably a better idea on things in a week or so.
Q: Do you expect any players to opt out?
Will have conversations about that sort of stuff this week. No sense of urgency coming up for about a week. They have time to think about it. Hopefully we don't have that transition, but it is a trend in the game today.
Q: Asked about the next ten days block. Probably focused on recruiting...what do the players do now?
They are off until Tuesday and have a meeting a short workout. Two lifts this week and then some work over the weekend. Then finals and then they will start game prep. Going out recruiting this week and hosting some recruits (he said a handful) this coming weekend.
Q: Asked about Will Levis and his time at Penn State?
He remembers that Iowa was the first power five offer for him. He came to camp here and got the offer. Unfortunately Penn State came in. Said he is a first class young man and a very good player.
Q: Does this game have added excitement since there wasn't a bowl game last year?
Last year was so unusual. We were a couple of days into prep before plug was pulled on it. Nothing was normal last year, but this year its been normal. So proud of team and what they have been able to do. Great reward for our players. Great experience last time we were there and thankful for the opportunity.
Q: Asked about the mental outlook after the 2015 game and go to the Rose Bowl. Guys seemed down. What do you have to do to manage that in the coming days to play in a couple of weeks?
Was thinking about it a few weeks ago and just general thinking. Wasn't where we needed to be mentally in that Rose Bowl. Physically they were fine. They have to have a plan as coaches and he thinks the players will be good and that they have great leadership.
That's it from Kirk. Will be talking to Belton and Linderbaum next.
