For those who are petrified of life after Kirk…

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I do not think any of us know how successful the next coach is going to be. Too many variables involved. And I believe none of us here will influence when it takes place. We can all argue if it should happen now or later. Beth will have to make that decision if Kirk does not. Will the large booster get involved? I have no idea. But getting some skilled position players or as they say Jimmy and Joes, whether HS or transferred needs to take place. So, for now I will just sit back and watch and enjoy what I can.

My one hope, and presumption, is that the next head coach will be given time to work through any rough patches and build this thing back up, and to wherever the new coach is hoping to take us.

We do not want this to become a revolving door of chasing dragons. Iowa has been pretty good with that, but this will still be new territory for the program (and for our new AD).

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

I do not think any of us know how successful the next coach is going to be

Neither do I.

Again, that’s not the point.

 

[BHoppy]

Neither do I.

Again, that’s not the point.

I understand your point about some fearing the end of Kirk is the end of IA football. I do not see that at all. What I am saying is we have no idea how successful the new coach will be or when it will happen. Of Couse it is going to happen. Just some on here want it right now and some do not. I have no control over it, so I am going to support the players that are wearing black and gold. Just my opinion.

What I do or say will not influence Iowa's decision on Kirk.

When it does happen, I am sure everyone here will argue who the best replacement is.

Keep the faith!!

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

I understand your point about some fearing the end of Kirk is the end of IA football. I do not see that at all. What I am saying is we have no idea how successful the new coach will be or when it will happen. Of Couse it is going to happen. Just some on here want it right now and some do not. I have no control over it, so I am going to support the players that are wearing black and gold. Just my opinion.

What I do or say will not influence Iowa's decision on Kirk.

When it does happen, I am sure everyone here will argue who the best replacement is.

Keep the faith!!

I understand where you’re coming from.

Good post.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Indiana is living proof in the era of NIL and the transfer portal that with the right coach a program can be turned around in one year.

That’s all.

Using Indiana to prove a point about the good that can come from getting a new coach is deeply flawed. In fact it actually proves the opposite point.

The last time Indiana hired a coach the ended their tenure at IU with a winning record was 1934. Yep, 90 years ago.

Cignetti is the 15th coach IU has hired in that period.

Yeah, now we have the portal, NIL, etc. You can argue it's easier to get players. Except that there are 130+ schools going after those guys too.

I don't think anyone here is "petrified of life after Kirk", certainly not me. But I don't think we can assume things will get better.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Using Indiana to prove a point about the good that can come from getting a new coach is deeply flawed. In fact it actually proves the opposite point.

The last time Indiana hired a coach the ended their tenure at IU with a winning record was 1934. Yep, 90 years ago.

Cignetti is the 15th coach IU has hired in that period.

Yeah, now we have the portal, NIL, etc. You can argue it's easier to get players. Except that there are 130+ schools going after those guys too.

I don't think anyone here is "petrified of life after Kirk", certainly not me. But I don't think we can assume things will get better.

Uggghhh. For the one millionth time: That. Is. Not. The. Point.

 

[radicalhawk]

We wouldn't be having this conversation if it wasn't for C.J. Beathard. He guided Iowa to a 12 - 0 regular season in 2015. That in turn gave Barta an excuse to give what he himself called a "retirement contract" to Ferentz from 2016 to 2025. And now, 4 more years have been tacked on to that through 2029. The year before, Ferentz's ass was on the hot seat like never before. Ferentz has been making $Millions from the cash cow for a decade on borrowed time.

 

[intrepodor]

just need to execute better

and clean some things up

 

[intrepodor]

Ideally, Kirk will be convinced to retire. That’s what I am hoping for. I believe that’s what most of us want. I don’t want him fired. For someone who has been here this long, getting fired for anything outside of moral turpitude should be off the table.

You are right, though. Kirk has Iowa by the balls thanks to Barta. If Kirk insists on staying, then he is staying. Unless Kinnick turns into a ghost town and the donor money stops rolling in, I see no scenario where Kirk is forced out against his will.

Even if stadium was empty there's still tv money coming in

 

[Hawk-A-Doodle-Doo]

Coach football.....at IOWA???

Imagine the caliber of candidates you'd attract when all we have to offer is a half-century track record of virtually ironclad job security and multi-generational wealth coupled with zero genuine pressure to "win championships, or else...".

What coach in his right mind would ever want that?!

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Uggghhh. For the one millionth time: That. Is. Not. The. Point.

What is the point then - that it can happen? Of course it can.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

What is the point then - that it can happen? Of course it can.

The point is not to be scared of the next hire.

Turnarounds don’t take 5-10 years anymore.

So, if Todd Lickliter were to happen to the football team, it won’t take a Ray Nagel, Frank Lauterbur, and a Bob Commings to get to the next Hayden Fry. A program can turn around completely in one season.

In short, no one should fear life after Kirk.

 

[Niko13]

Coach football.....at IOWA???

Imagine the caliber of candidates you'd attract when all we have to offer is a half-century track record of virtually ironclad job security and multi-generational wealth coupled with zero genuine pressure to "win championships, or else...".

What coach in his right mind would ever want that?!

I've said this for years. Iowa should be able to attract some of the best and highest profile coaches in football for all the reasons you said. Add in cost of living and it's a no brainer

 

[Hawk_4shur]

The point is not to be scared of the next hire.

Turnarounds don’t take 5-10 years anymore.

So, if Todd Lickliter were to happen to the football team, it won’t take a Ray Nagel, Frank Lauterbur, and a Bob Commings to get to the next Hayden Fry. A program can turn around completely in one season.

In short, no one should fear life after Kirk.

Well, I don't think anyone is, since 95% want him to retire or get fired on this board.

There are 3 ways it can go 1. Get better, 2. Get worse, 3. Stay the same, and all three of them are in play when KF is gone. Bu it seems the vast majority (including me) simply want a change.

However, Indiana's success (going from the doghouse to the CFP) is one-in-a-million

 

[Ronman]

Well, I don't think anyone is, since 95% want him to retire or get fired on this board.

There are 3 ways it can go 1. Get better, 2. Get worse, 3. Stay the same, and all three of them are in play when KF is gone. Bu it seems the vast majority (including me) simply want a change.

However, Indiana's success (going from the doghouse to the CFP) is one-in-a-million

Just about the same odds of Ferentz ever taking Iowa to the CFP. I look at the National Championship the same way I used to look at Playmates....Would love to visit, but know it will never happen!

 

[Greenway4Prez]

I've said this for years. Iowa should be able to attract some of the best and highest profile coaches in football for all the reasons you said. Add in cost of living and it's a no brainer

I think there’s A LOT to like about Iowa if you’re a coach being pursued by Goetz/the search committee.

But, the relatively poor recruiting grounds and lack of championship pedigree could eliminate us from consideration from some candidates.

 

[BonzoFury]

Well, I don't think anyone is, since 95% want him to retire or get fired on this board.

There are 3 ways it can go 1. Get better, 2. Get worse, 3. Stay the same, and all three of them are in play when KF is gone. Bu it seems the vast majority (including me) simply want a change.

However, Indiana's success (going from the doghouse to the CFP) is one-in-a-million

Indiana's meteoric rise is due to a few factors including a favorable schedule. But don't let that overshadow the legit point. The right coach can come in and change things pretty quickly if they're good. Cig is not a fluke, he's been on the rise. Find that kind of coach and you can be competitive pretty fast.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Indiana's meteoric rise is due to a few factors including a favorable schedule. But don't let that overshadow the legit point. The right coach can come in and change things pretty quickly if they're good. Cig is not an accident, he's been on the rise. Find that kind of coach and you can be competitive pretty fast.

These guys like to quibble with every possible little point to justify wanting Kirk to coach until he’s 90. They will never admit it, but deep down that’s how they think.

Oh no, Jerry Burns or Todd Lickliter is waiting in the wings! Make Kirk stay forever!

 

[SDHawkDoc]

These guys like to quibble with every possible little point to justify wanting Kirk to coach until he’s 90. They will never admit it, but deep down that’s how they think.

Oh no, Jerry Burns or Todd Lickliter is waiting in the wings! Make Kirk stay forever!

This is what I see as well. There might be occasional lip service to acknowledging the reality that one day he will be gone. But then it quickly goes to all the usual arguments for him to stay indefinitely, "earned the right to leave on his own terms", etc.

Could the next hire be a flop. Of course.

Among the many things that have changed, 2 of the most critical are that rebuilds can happen overnight in the new completely unfettered free agency era AND the athletic department is no longer saddled with the incompetent AD who was terrible at managing contracts and extensions.

No school wants to be like those idiot fuskers and be a coaching revolving door paying multiple former HCs for years because of poor decisions. But it doesn't have to be that way. And a good AD, which so far Iowa looks to have in place, can help to avoid that.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

The swarm is obviously not the answer but I dunno what is

 

[NCHawkeye24]

The point is not to be scared of the next hire.

Turnarounds don’t take 5-10 years anymore.

So, if Todd Lickliter were to happen to the football team, it won’t take a Ray Nagel, Frank Lauterbur, and a Bob Commings to get to the next Hayden Fry. A program can turn around completely in one season.

In short, no one should fear life after Kirk.

You make a good point but I don't think it is the one you are trying to make. Yes, turnarounds don't have to take 5-10 years like they used to and teams like Indiana have shown they can take only 1 year.

But, this point does not necessarily mean that you have to get a new coach. Most of the time we see coaches get fired because of glaring and systemic weaknesses that make it obvious they cannot manage and run a quality football program. So the new coaching staff can come in, establish a culture, clean house and start from there.

Iowa's case is so unique though in that the culture is solid and the management of the program overall is consistent and established. PP would be a top candidate for any elite program that that was only a defense away if he was available. Iowa's special teams are as good as anyone's in football over KF's tenure. The offense has been awful, but, there is a new OC in town and to me he is very refreshing, open, honest and I think he knows what he is doing AND it is pretty apparent that KF is allowing him to do what he wants to do and say what he needs to say. I think the S&C program took a hit after Doyle, but, it still appears to be very good.

My point is that if Iowa can get the players then this staff can coach them. I am confident PP would build a national championship level defense with the players, he has done it before. Same with LW. I really like TL and if he had some elite players I think he would know what to do with them. And the standard of run the ball, stop the run, play solid special teams and don't turn the ball over is still a winning formula.

So to me this whole thing has nothing to do with coaching, but instead, has everything to do with recruiting. So unless a guy can come in and just recruit better without any additional resources then I don't see why anyone would think that logically it would be much better than what we have. If a person just wants different, I understand, that is their opinion. If keeping KF and the current staff is inhibiting fund raising to recruit and retain these players, then I agree everyone should look to move on. But I don't see any evidence of that either.

I am just speaking for me, I am not afraid of life after Kirk, but, non-emotionally and pragmatically looking at it I would rather see what TL can get in here after being on staff for a full year and how PP will re-load this defense than to see a new coaching regime take over. Atleast for the next couple of years.

 

[Scott559]

These guys like to quibble with every possible little point to justify wanting Kirk to coach until he’s 90. They will never admit it, but deep down that’s how they think.

Oh no, Jerry Burns or Todd Lickliter is waiting in the wings! Make Kirk stay forever!

My perspective is pretty simple, If Kirk retires tomorrow Iowa football will go on, What I think needs to be measured is where exactly does Iowa stand in the Big pecking order when you consider all resources and geographical location, What in a positive light separates Iowa from Wisconsin or Nebraska? What gives Iowa an edge to step up closer to the level of OSU,PSU,Michigan, or Oregon? I don’t dread change at all, Iowa can continue being a good football program, I’m just not sure Iowa can realistically take it up another level on a consistent basis.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

You make a good point but I don't think it is the one you are trying to make. Yes, turnarounds don't have to take 5-10 years like they used to and teams like Indiana have shown they can take only 1 year.

But, this point does not necessarily mean that you have to get a new coach. Most of the time we see coaches get fired because of glaring and systemic weaknesses that make it obvious they cannot manage and run a quality football program. So the new coaching staff can come in, establish a culture, clean house and start from there.

Iowa's case is so unique though in that the culture is solid and the management of the program overall is consistent and established. PP would be a top candidate for any elite program that that was only a defense away if he was available. Iowa's special teams are as good as anyone's in football over KF's tenure. The offense has been awful, but, there is a new OC in town and to me he is very refreshing, open, honest and I think he knows what he is doing AND it is pretty apparent that KF is allowing him to do what he wants to do and say what he needs to say. I think the S&C program took a hit after Doyle, but, it still appears to be very good.

My point is that if Iowa can get the players then this staff can coach them. I am confident PP would build a national championship level defense with the players, he has done it before. Same with LW. I really like TL and if he had some elite players I think he would know what to do with them. And the standard of run the ball, stop the run, play solid special teams and don't turn the ball over is still a winning formula.

So to me this whole thing has nothing to do with coaching, but instead, has everything to do with recruiting. So unless a guy can come in and just recruit better without any additional resources then I don't see why anyone would think that logically it would be much better than what we have. If a person just wants different, I understand, that is their opinion. If keeping KF and the current staff is inhibiting fund raising to recruit and retain these players, then I agree everyone should look to move on. But I don't see any evidence of that either.

I am just speaking for me, I am not afraid of life after Kirk, but, non-emotionally and pragmatically looking at it I would rather see what TL can get in here after being on staff for a full year and how PP will re-load this defense than to see a new coaching regime take over. Atleast for the next couple of years.

You know, this is probably one of the best posts I have read on here…possibly ever.

You are spot on and I find no fault with anything you wrote. Well stated. Excellent. And if Iowa can get better offensive players with Kirk at the helm and Lester can be allowed to run the offense as he sees fit, then I am all for that. If that happens, I will give it the thumb up.

I just hope there can be an honest conversation about Kirk’s future if recruiting doesn’t pick up rapidly along with better personnel decisions. We’ll see.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

I’m just not sure Iowa can realistically take it up another level on a consistent basis.

No, that will never happen. Nor should anyone expect it to.

 

[BonzoFury]

You know, this is probably one of the best posts I have read on here…possibly ever.

You are spot on and I find no fault with anything you wrote. Well stated. Excellent. And if Iowa can get better offensive players with Kirk at the helm and Lester can be allowed to run the offense as he sees fit, then I am all for that. If that happens, I will give it the thumb up.

I just hope there can be an honest conversation about Kirk’s future if recruiting doesn’t pick up rapidly along with better personnel decisions. We’ll see.

Agreed, NCHawkeye made some great observations. Best case scenario is that Kirk plays GM (his strength) and lets his OC and DC run their show. He's done that with DC. The question is...can he get over his fear on the offensive side of the ball and allow Lester some freedom.

 

[NCHawkeye24]

I don't know how everything works within the program, but I do remember there being a lot of talk (from Brad himself) that when Barta was around that there was not much cooperation with the U and the collective. We all hoped Beth would change that but not sure how that is working because I haven't seen all that Caitlin Clark money do anything to help get players here for either basketball team, but rest assure a bunch of money was made.

Those are organizational issued that need to be on the progressive side for Iowa to compete. What I mean by that is from my perspective I don't see how the AD and the U are not competing with the collective for dollars. If a donor is going to want to write a check to help the athletics programs, I think the U and the collective have very different views on how that money should be spent. You add in the recent court rulings (I think it was Tennessee involved) and it seemed to open the door for the schools to pay the players. Iowa has always seemed to slow-play these types of things and fall behind those that push forward first.

Before anything happens, the U which includes the AD, the U president and every board member have to be on the same page and form a unified vision of what their goals are. Without that it will be next to impossible to compete with those that have that.

Then the AD can do her job of going out and raising money. KF too. But for a common purpose. Build a war chest. It is the only way to do this now in this day and age.

 

[TXHCHawk]

You make a good point but I don't think it is the one you are trying to make. Yes, turnarounds don't have to take 5-10 years like they used to and teams like Indiana have shown they can take only 1 year.

But, this point does not necessarily mean that you have to get a new coach. Most of the time we see coaches get fired because of glaring and systemic weaknesses that make it obvious they cannot manage and run a quality football program. So the new coaching staff can come in, establish a culture, clean house and start from there.

Iowa's case is so unique though in that the culture is solid and the management of the program overall is consistent and established. PP would be a top candidate for any elite program that that was only a defense away if he was available. Iowa's special teams are as good as anyone's in football over KF's tenure. The offense has been awful, but, there is a new OC in town and to me he is very refreshing, open, honest and I think he knows what he is doing AND it is pretty apparent that KF is allowing him to do what he wants to do and say what he needs to say. I think the S&C program took a hit after Doyle, but, it still appears to be very good.

My point is that if Iowa can get the players then this staff can coach them. I am confident PP would build a national championship level defense with the players, he has done it before. Same with LW. I really like TL and if he had some elite players I think he would know what to do with them. And the standard of run the ball, stop the run, play solid special teams and don't turn the ball over is still a winning formula.

So to me this whole thing has nothing to do with coaching, but instead, has everything to do with recruiting. So unless a guy can come in and just recruit better without any additional resources then I don't see why anyone would think that logically it would be much better than what we have. If a person just wants different, I understand, that is their opinion. If keeping KF and the current staff is inhibiting fund raising to recruit and retain these players, then I agree everyone should look to move on. But I don't see any evidence of that either.

I am just speaking for me, I am not afraid of life after Kirk, but, non-emotionally and pragmatically looking at it I would rather see what TL can get in here after being on staff for a full year and how PP will re-load this defense than to see a new coaching regime take over. Atleast for the next couple of years.

Good insight. Appreciate your pragmatism.