Give Lester a chance
- Thread starter WEH8ST8HAWK
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Iowa needs a functioning offense. Ball control and no turnovers are irrelevant if the offense can’t score. Please stop pretending Kirk’s offense is beneficial to winning games. Iowa wins in spite of its offensive philosophy and execution.
Lester is only 46, no? But a safe hire this does appear to be. I get what you're saying.
You’re right. We should give him a chance.
I’m just so disgusted right now. If this hire doesn’t move the needle, this needs to be the end of Ferentz.
Any other coach would have come out after the bowl game and said they are going to do a full evaluation of the offense side of the ball
Leading to a potential reboot or tear down and rebuild to something that can actually be called complimentary football. Just admit the offense is broke and his job is to fix it
The OC search would be to find the type of candidate who either has a proven track record over the years of fixing offenses, or someone relatively newer with fresh ideas that accomplish the same goal
Which should have been, fix the offense.
Instead Kirk never admitted there was a problem. He thinks the offense of the last three years is acceptable because 10 wins on the backs of defense, special teams, and horrible opponents.
92-0 is all that came out of 2023 season
Leading to a potential reboot or tear down and rebuild to something that can actually be called complimentary football. Just admit the offense is broke and his job is to fix it
The OC search would be to find the type of candidate who either has a proven track record over the years of fixing offenses, or someone relatively newer with fresh ideas that accomplish the same goal
Which should have been, fix the offense.
Instead Kirk never admitted there was a problem. He thinks the offense of the last three years is acceptable because 10 wins on the backs of defense, special teams, and horrible opponents.
92-0 is all that came out of 2023 season
This could have happened...but it's hard to think that the problem is your own son. The biggest problem with nepotism is that it clouds the evaluation process.
He doesn’t see he is the problem and the success of Iowa Football with great coaches and culture. He just needs to improve his offense by admitting his faults and moving on. He’s paid $7 million to field a team that is good in all three phases of the game but only two are the last three years.
Of course the fan base will give him a chance. Despite what goes on here, Iowa fans are a hopeful bunch, and we'll be hoping like crazy that somehow this Lester dude is able to run the offense under KF's restraints better than anyone else has been able to.
But, tonight, the fan base is pissed and rightfully so. We were teased with multiple candidates with solid credentials, including one that looked to be a done deal. A guy fired as the Syracuse OC, Purdue QB coach and MAC HC should not have his next job be OC at a school with a much bigger football tradition than any of those. Troy OC would have been a perfect spot to start over. He hit the frickin' jackpot. Only time will tell if it was worth it for Iowa.
But, tonight, the fan base is pissed and rightfully so. We were teased with multiple candidates with solid credentials, including one that looked to be a done deal. A guy fired as the Syracuse OC, Purdue QB coach and MAC HC should not have his next job be OC at a school with a much bigger football tradition than any of those. Troy OC would have been a perfect spot to start over. He hit the frickin' jackpot. Only time will tell if it was worth it for Iowa.
KF just could not attract a decent OC. No one wants to come to Iowa so he has to settle for Lester. I hope he does well but this speaks volumes to have far KF has fallen.
He was the play caller every year but one when he was HC at WMU, and fairly successful at it.
I believe he was the play caller at multiple stints at lower levels.
He has a pretty extensive play calling experience, but if we take his two worst years of the 10+ years he’s done it, it looks terrible, if we’re looking for negatives.
And your point is? Surgeons are not in the entertainment business. Surgeons do quite well.
Kirk wouldn’t hire someone in the entertainment business. Kirk isn’t here to entertain anyone.
Yep. Lester was far and away the best candidate, not even close.
So I talked to a guy who knows a guy who knows him. OK.
Lester's QBs seem to improve ... and the offenses seem to have balance. Bronco RBs actually regularly featured 1000 yard rushers.
That seems compatible with Kirk's philosophy. Furthermore, it complements Phils bend-but-not-break defense.
Doesn't seem like a bad hire to me.
Not a "flashy" hire ... but Iowa doesn't need a flashy O to win a ton of games.
That seems compatible with Kirk's philosophy. Furthermore, it complements Phils bend-but-not-break defense.
Doesn't seem like a bad hire to me.
Not a "flashy" hire ... but Iowa doesn't need a flashy O to win a ton of games.
Underwhelming hire but of course hope he’s good. Count me in for giving him a chance. I’m certain the team will be good next season. If the O is markedly improved could be a special season.
However, is the offensive cupboard really “bare”? Luke Lachey is back, adding K Proctor to o-line, return of QB McNamera (hopefully healthy), WR Kaleb Brown (for full season), and all top 3 running backs return…just sayin.
I am excited a change was made. It will be a very intriguing spring practice to see what the offense may look like.
Yup, do fellow coaches EVER speak ill of each other!?!? Nope.
Exhibit A: Coach Izzo thought Todd Lickliter was a great basketball mind and Iowa was nuts for letting him go....
With Barta definitely 6 -7 years, but with Beth in charge I am going with 3-4 and KF is also maybe 'encouraged' to retire early?
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It's not what he COULD NOT do. It's what he WOULD NOT do, and that is hire someone who would right off the bat greatly upstage Brian. This may end up being an OK hire. As a former QB and HC I think he's more qualified than Brian to run an offense and definitely coach QBs. But just on name/resume he's not wowing a lot of people since he hasn't had much success at this level, so there will be questions about the choice and the offense at least until the season starts. It's pretty much what you'd expect from Kirk.
I’m not sure if he is or not. I’m hopeful he is successful and better than GD.
I can not only give a chance but support him, and simultaneously not have high hopes.
Reality is it's Hawkeye FB, and I'm watching and cheering on the hawks regardless.
Reality is it's Hawkeye FB, and I'm watching and cheering on the hawks regardless.
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