"It's a new me" - Kirk Ferentz

[reedsposer22]

Start this video at :09 seconds. Ferentz's words are POWERFUL.




I wanted him fired last year, I will be the first to admit it. I have come to realize I am rash and this man is the one I want as head coach. He is really something special and we are lucky.

 

[Senor Martinez]

Start this video at :09 seconds. Ferentz's words are POWERFUL.

View embedded media

I wanted him fired last year, I will be the first to admit it. I have come to realize I am rash and this man is the one I want as head coach. He is really something special and we are lucky.

I have to say, that's one of the best KF interviews I've heard in his 16 years here.

 

[hawkeye54545]

Actions speak louder than words and I must say so far KF has really changed his conservative approach quite a bit.

I like what I see. Even if we lose at least it will be entertaining.

 

[HawkOptimist]

I don't remember ever being as frustrated with Iowa football as I was after last year's ISU and Nebraska losses at Kinnick. Two games we had comfortable leads in...at home...but found a way to lose late. I remember leaving Kinnick after the Nebraska game thinking, 'well Kirk, you had a great run, but it's over.' As mad as I was, I was OK with that. Then the bowl game happened. Iowa football had completely fallen off the tracks, went over a cliff, and was in a free fall. My anger turned to sadness. It was hard watching a great guy like Ferentz, who had done so much for Iowa football and the community, look lost and broken. I truly felt it was only a matter of time.

Fast forward to this year and we see a much more engaged, rejuvenated Ferentz who has opened his mind to change. And it seems this has trickled down to his team, assistants, the fans -- everyone. The focus, energy and commitment is back ... from the coaches to the players to the stands. This year just has a different feel to it ... a feeling I haven't felt since the 2009 season. Not at all saying we'll finish 11-2 as that team did, but it at least feels good to feel good about Iowa football again.

 

[soybean]

What surprised me the most in the aftermath of last season was how large the group of naysayers were that doubted Kirk when he said he got it and changes would be made. When he announced in January that CJ would be the #1 QB many acted like it was Vladimir Putin saying it instead of Kirk Ferentz.

 

[OmahaHawkFan]

I have always been on the side of retaining Kirk. Mostly because I feared the reality of Barta getting to choose the future direction of the football program. I want him gone before the football coach. However, I think we are seeing two things play out here.
First, Kirk was, as many suspected, disengaged from much of the football operations and focusing more on politicking and donor schmoozing enough that game plan was getting cut and pasted each week.
Second, I have wondered for a while if some of the issues that plagued the team last year was a divided locker room. I noticed in the video that CJB commented on the chemistry. Could it be because he knows that many of his teammates were on Jake's side last year? It might be a bigger blessing than we think having Jake transfer.

 

[Quintana]

Start this video at :09 seconds.

yes, watching that first 8 seconds is really asking way too much!

 

[joemc2]

What surprised me the most in the aftermath of last season was how large the group of naysayers were that doubted Kirk when he said he got it and changes would be made. When he announced in January that CJ would be the #1 QB many acted like it was Vladimir Putin saying it instead of Kirk Ferentz.

I think the naysaying was because he had said he was going to change, but he didn't. It seems like he really has now, he is looser, more upbeat and that has carried over to the team. After several years of dull football, this team is really fun to watc.

 

[whatsup12579er]

I think KF has made 2 great decisions recently: 1) Bringing BF on board. You can debate all day long how good of an OL coach he really is but he is the person on the staff that has the most influence on KF and is responsible for most of KF's revelations recently IMO. 2) Picking CJB over Jake in January. That gave this team a clear cut leader 8 months before the season began and gave them time to get behind CJB 100% and I think they have.

 

[soybean]

I think the naysaying was because he had said he was going to change, but he didn't. It seems like he really has now, he is looser, more upbeat and that has carried over to the team. After several years of dull football, this team is really fun to watc.

Please remind me when Kirk said he was going to make significant change prior to last January.

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

KF and GD said, over and over again, they were going to go no huddle, that "both QBs will play," that they'll throw the ball down the field... And then when none of that happened and all we ever got was "That's football," well, many of us weren't impressed. So I guess you haven't been paying much attention, Soybean. Happy to remind you of the recent, ugly past.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Can't place a finger exactly on it but just the vibe you get from this team is different. Maybe it's the combination of Kirk being willing to adapt ... Maybe it's CJ's leadership ... Maybe it's all of it and more. I like it. I like the vibe from this team. I like what the players are saying. This does appear to be a closer unit. CJ is (in my opinion) a true leader. This is fun.

 

[JStandefer]

"Hi. I'm Kirk Ferentz and I have Direct TV."

I'm sure glad Kirk gave up cable. This very young season has been a lot of fun to watch.

 

[reedsposer22]

yes, watching that first 8 seconds is really asking way too much!

In This hyper social media age for many it is. A vine video is only allowed to be 6 seconds. My hawkeye highlight videos sometimes go 6 minutes, it feels like a miracle to get anyone to watch with our societies short attention span.

 

[TS568]

Couldn't agree more, In fact, the last time I felt this optimistic was coincidentally after the 2011 Pitt game where KIrk let it fly and JVB led that comeback by slinging the ball to every corner of Kinnick. The difference is this year we have more playmakers than in 2011 and speed to burn, so keep the throttle open for 4 quarters please. Something special is brewing IMO.

 

[hawks223]

I have always been on the side of retaining Kirk. Mostly because I feared the reality of Barta getting to choose the future direction of the football program. I want him gone before the football coach. However, I think we are seeing two things play out here.
First, Kirk was, as many suspected, disengaged from much of the football operations and focusing more on politicking and donor schmoozing enough that game plan was getting cut and pasted each week.
Second, I have wondered for a while if some of the issues that plagued the team last year was a divided locker room. I noticed in the video that CJB commented on the chemistry. Could it be because he knows that many of his teammates were on Jake's side last year? It might be a bigger blessing than we think having Jake transfer.

I think you got it backwards, Jake was the starter, the team was supposed to be on his side lol. The chemistry issues probably stemmed from Jake continuing to start while many players were under the impression CJ was the better option. From all accounts CJ is a pretty good kid, highly doubt he had anything to do with it on a personal level. I imagine he went out there every day and worked to the best of his ability regardless of who was starting, and it was probably as obvious to the players on the practice field as it is to us watching now.

 

[larrygreenwallswildride]

More than a few players felt CJB was the best option last year.

The large drop in season ticket renewals has been a big factor in reaching the leadership. Ultimately, many factors hit in a timely manner.
This season will tell the full tale of sustainability. Hope the new vibe keeps on keeping on.

 

[soybean]

KF and GD said, over and over again, they were going to go no huddle, that "both QBs will play," that they'll throw the ball down the field... And then when none of that happened and all we ever got was "That's football," well, many of us weren't impressed. So I guess you haven't been paying much attention, Soybean. Happy to remind you of the recent, ugly past.

You are the one with the bad memory. You wanted Kirk gone. So you inflated and conflated bit & pieces into a narrative that supported your position. Yes, I recall when he said both QB's would play and then games conditions didn't allow for that when he was still(wrongly IMHO) thinking that Jake was the superior QB. But that is not a significant promise to the fan base in my book. What he said and did in January was...and three games in he has kept that promise.

 

[*hawksrock*]

More than a few players felt CJB was the best option last year.

The large drop in season ticket renewals has been a big factor in reaching the leadership. Ultimately, many factors hit in a timely manner.
This season will tell the full tale of sustainability. Hope the new vibe keeps on keeping on.

True!

but I must admit, I like the "new" capt'n kirk! I hope it parlays into a very successful season!

 

[2ADream]

It's nice having a QB that the fanbase, players, and coaches have faith in. At no point during the first 3 games have I thought that we would lose. There is something about this squad that is special and the coaching staff has done a great job thus far. I was one of those people who wanted Kirk gone, but I've seen great things from him as a coach. It's one thing to say you will change and not change; it's another to actually adjust to the times and that is what Kirk has done this year. I'm excited to see what this team is capable of.

 

[codflyer]

KF and GD said, over and over again, they were going to go no huddle, that "both QBs will play," that they'll throw the ball down the field... And then when none of that happened and all we ever got was "That's football," well, many of us weren't impressed. So I guess you haven't been paying much attention, Soybean. Happy to remind you of the recent, ugly past.

They did go no huddle. Quite a bit. They did play both QB's. Maybe not as much as you wanted them to, but they still did (CJ played in the first half of the Ball State game and would have played in the UNI game if Johnson wasn't running all over us). They also did try to go downfield. They missed more often than not when they tried, and Jake obviously didn't pull the trigger on that option very often, but it wasn't like guys weren't running deep routes. Basically, nothing you said is accurate. Plenty to gnash our teeth over without having to make stuff up.

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

Can't place a finger exactly on it but just the vibe you get from this team is different. Maybe it's the combination of Kirk being willing to adapt ... Maybe it's CJ's leadership ... Maybe it's all of it and more. I like it. I like the vibe from this team. I like what the players are saying. This does appear to be a closer unit. CJ is (in my opinion) a true leader. This is fun.

When the Hawkeyes "swarmed" together to reclaim the CyHawk, I thought that there is something special about this team.

I was down on Kirk after that Nebraska game as well as the bowl game last year and wanted him gone. I will eat my crow...and take additional helpings if we continue to see this kind of energy throughout the rest of Kirks time here.

 

[hawkeyemark]

I've posted a few times that the time seems ripe at Kirk's age and at this late stage in his career which I think has much to do with his newfound openness to change. But this doesn't seem like a sudden flip of the switch either as we saw a little different Kirk last season as well going on 4th down as much as he did but uncertainty at the quarterback position plagued much of last season IMO which Kirk addressed offseason. Life revolves around making choices and when you make good ones like he has of late you set yourself up for good things to happen.

 

[Madman_1]

KF and GD said, over and over again, they were going to go no huddle, that "both QBs will play," that they'll throw the ball down the field... And then when none of that happened and all we ever got was "That's football," well, many of us weren't impressed. So I guess you haven't been paying much attention, Soybean. Happy to remind you of the recent, ugly past.

That didn't answer Soybean's question.

.

 

[Herkmeister]

I'm very happy for Kirk. I'm very happy for our players. And I'm VERY VERY happy I kept my season tickets.

 

[revkev73]

There aren't many big conference schools where you can take, like, what, about 7 years to figure out what fans, pundits, announcers, players, etc. have been seeing and saying forever...like, the obvious...this ISN'T WORKING coach...try SOMETHING else.

Iowans, we are a forgiving people...

 

[Forgery5]

More than a few players felt CJB was the best option last year.

The large drop in season ticket renewals has been a big factor in reaching the leadership. Ultimately, many factors hit in a timely manner.
This season will tell the full tale of sustainability. Hope the new vibe keeps on keeping on.

KF was forced to make changes to keep his job and he's really stepped it up this year. I simply don't understand why he waited so long to make the change other than he new he wouldn't be fired until the payout was more manageable. A lot of talent has gone elseware that could have made this a very good team. Hopefully, the first 3 games are a sign of things to come and he doesn't fall into the KF of old.

 

[uniFIGHTuniFIGHT]

There aren't many big conference schools where you can take, like, what, about 7 years to figure out what fans, pundits, announcers, players, etc. have been seeing and saying forever...like, the obvious...this ISN'T WORKING coach...try SOMETHING else.

Iowans, we are a forgiving people...

More like 3 out of 4 seasons. Most of us were encouraged after the regular season in 2013 and nobody seemed to be pissed about the bowl loss. I have no recollections of the year 2011.

 

[yerpHAWK]

More like 3 out of 4 seasons. Most of us were encouraged after the regular season in 2013 and nobody seemed to be pissed about the bowl loss. I have no recollections of the year 2011.

We had a quarterback who threw for 3000, a running back who ran for 1200, a reciever who caught 1200, and we somehow only won 7 games lol.

 

[uniFIGHTuniFIGHT]

We had a quarterback who threw for 3000, a running back who ran for 1200, a reciever who caught 1200, and we somehow only won 7 games lol.

Add those numbers together and that's about half of what I spent at The Vine that year.

 

[Hawknado]

How much of the success do you attribute to the "new" Ferentz and how much to having a quarterback who throws vertically... I think CJ is really helping the coaching staff's success.


EDIT... Desmond "The" King is doing a lot to help as well. The defense as a whole, really.

 

[Scott559]

How much of the success do you attribute to the "new" Ferentz and how much to having a quarterback who throws vertically... I think CJ is really helping the coaching staff's success.


EDIT... Desmond "The" King is doing a lot to help as well. The defense as a whole, really.

While I understand your point, I think what most people are noticing is a much better vibe coming from the program, It's not just about what you are seeing on the field currently, It just seems like there is a real uptick in positive energy in regard to the football program, IMO that starts with the Head Coach.

 

[GPRHAWK]

My first choice would be to succeed with Kirk at the helm. That being said, if we continue to be a 7-5 team or worse, we have to make a change. It seems it's really hard for coaches whose programs decline to get it back on top. Paterno, Bowden, Mack Brown, Spurrier at Florida, Stoops at OU, etc. Would love to see Kirk have at least one more good run like 2002-2004 before retiring. Would surprise me, but you never know.

 

[B1G]

I sure woulda liked to see the new Kirk several years ago. Hopefully he can re-join the contenders and exit on a high note.

 

[keosahawkeye]

mmmmMMMMM MMMM!!! That's some good koolaid!

While I do agree the vibe feels different, liberal use of KY will do that. Seriously, though, all this just seems a bit too early to tell. I like what I've seen way more than what I've heard, but I wonder what the reaction here will be if Iowa 'ArkansasStates' it against North Texas. A win is a win but I have a feeling that'll take a lot of the edge off the optimism.

I really want to be all out and buying in but...

 

[HawktimusPrime]

I'm very happy for Kirk. I'm very happy for our players. And I'm VERY VERY happy I kept my season tickets.

You made a smart decision. What people don't realize is that the fan support is HUGE. If the fans walk away and do it in a way such as a team like Miami, or such. You can ruin the program for years, no matter how successful it was before.

 

[OmahaHawkFan]

mmmmMMMMM MMMM!!! That's some good koolaid!

While I do agree the vibe feels different, liberal use of KY will do that. Seriously, though, all this just seems a bit too early to tell. I like what I've seen way more than what I've heard, but I wonder what the reaction here will be if Iowa 'ArkansasStates' it against North Texas. A win is a win but I have a feeling that'll take a lot of the edge off the optimism.

I really want to be all out and buying in but...

Obviously you can look at life as an optimist or a pessimist. I guess sports is such a small part of my life I would rather hope for the best rather than be pissy all the time and expect the worst.

 

[keosahawkeye]

Obviously you can look at life as an optimist or a pessimist. I guess sports is such a small part of my life I would rather hope for the best rather than be pissy all the time and expect the worst.

You sound like a defensive nebraska fan.

I like to moderate my expectations and just enjoy the ride while it lasts.

 

[HawkLogic]

Give KF credit for pulling the plug on Rudock, but it did take him an entire season to figure it out and came darned close to seeing Beathard transfer. I cancelled my season tickets after KF played an awful Vandenberg every snap of 2011 season. And KF also was the guy that had JC Christiansen starting. KF has long history of not recognizing upside in talent at QB position and sticking with the veteran. Good to see Brian Ferentz/Davis were able to get him to grow.

 

[RocknRollface]

I think you got it backwards, Jake was the starter, the team was supposed to be on his side lol. The chemistry issues probably stemmed from Jake continuing to start while many players were under the impression CJ was the better option. From all accounts CJ is a pretty good kid, highly doubt he had anything to do with it on a personal level. I imagine he went out there every day and worked to the best of his ability regardless of who was starting, and it was probably as obvious to the players on the practice field as it is to us watching now.

Agree, i think most if not all of the guys knew CJ was the better option but Kirk loved Rudock and did have a decent season the year before so couldn't bring himself to supplant him.

I think it had a bad effect on moral.