Kirk Ferentz now at 203 Wins at IOWA (#2 All Time in B1G History). Woody Hayes #1 at 205 wins; Amos Alonzo Stagg #3 at 199 wins; Bo #4 at 194 wins
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Then let's count the number of 4-5* star players Woody had, compared to Kirk...that's the true tale of the tape.
Let's hope he sets the record this year...that means at least 6 more wins for this year's team!
He might get the 6 wins to pass Woody in the regular season (and finish 10-2).
Iowa's (4-2) Remaining Schedule:
- at Michigan State, October 19, 2024
- vs. Northwestern, October 26, 2024
- vs. Wisconsin, November 2, 2024
- at UCLA, November 8, 2024
- at Maryland, November 23, 2024
- vs. Nebraska, November 29, 2024
The '04 team faced adversity; multiple injuries at RB, KFz's Dad passing right before a huge game. Playing poorly and getting your azz kicked is not adversity.
The point being that some teams turtle after getting knocked down but for 25 years this team almost always gets back to its feet and comes back with the effort and pride needed. That doesn't happen everywhere....
There are all sorts of different forms of adversity.
Losing in-conference games IS adversity when your goal every year is to win the conference.
Dealing with the NIL-landscape is adversity ... particularly when one of your top WRs from the prior year abandons ship. When the leading voice (among players) in the RB room leaves ... that's also a form of adversity.
Part of adversity is also facing when reality doesn't match expectation ... and this was certainly a bitter pill for Iowa's secondary to face. They expect to be a strength of the defense every year ... but they've been a point of pain through most of the season. It's simply crazy that it took until the 6th game of the season for Iowa to finally stop an opposing team in the redzone. Redzone D used to be one of Iowa's traditional points of strength.
Heck, having to block out noise concerning the passing game is also a form of adversity. The players themselves can admit it and own their own role in things. However, that doesn't stop asshole fans from booing and saying all sorts of vile-things on social-media. Given that is where young people live (on social-media) ... that is REAL adversity to them.
Is the degree of the adversity similar to what it was in '04? Probably not ... but it doesn't make the current adversity any less real.
That Nebraska game could be a raucous affair. Time to show Rhule a proper welcome to Kinnick.
I know folks will argue about the nuances of losses and winning percentages, but am I reading this correctly? 27 years for Woody Hayes? Takes a little bit of air out of the criticism of KF’s tenure.
If he surpasses Hayes’ wins, in about the same amount of time, then he would be surpassing Hayes’ wins in about the same amount of time.
Same amount of time is not same number of games. Most of Hayes' career the season was only 9 or 10 games. He coached 276 games at tOSU. Kirk has coached 321 at Iowa.
Exactly. What’s the point? Endless argument that can be what-if’d many different ways.
End of the day, number of wins is number of wins. That’s how they list them, that’s how it’s represented. It’s been good enough up to this point.
Also, parity. In the '60s and '70s, The Big Ten was a shit conference. Michigan and Ohio St steamrolled the other 8 teams. Those not named Michigan or Ohio St were lucky to get a winning season. 20 years of piling up the numbers was a big help for Hayes.
True true. But Woody also coached through a decade where he really only had to try to beat one Big team. The rest were given.
Different points. You can debate opponents schedule, etc. all you want and that’s fine. I just shared the numbers.
If Iowa wins on Saturday, Kirk will have a career winning % of .600 and he can retire immediately and move on to the HOF. Or 9 wins for the season will have him there at the end of the year. 
October 26, 2024 Update
After today's win over Northwestern:
Most Career Wins at a Big Ten school
The Top 4:
1. Woody Hayes.................205...(1951-1978)
2. Kirk Ferentz...................201...(1999-2024)
3. Amos Alonzo Stagg.....199
4. Bo Schembechler.........194...(1969-1989)
This video is from Nov 18, 2023, after Kirk passed Bo on the all-time list.
Hit the PLAY button.
After today's win over Northwestern:
Most Career Wins at a Big Ten school
The Top 4:
1. Woody Hayes.................205...(1951-1978)
2. Kirk Ferentz...................201...(1999-2024)
3. Amos Alonzo Stagg.....199
4. Bo Schembechler.........194...(1969-1989)
This video is from Nov 18, 2023, after Kirk passed Bo on the all-time list.
Hit the PLAY button.
November 2, 2024 Update
After today's win over Wisconsin:
Most Career Wins at a Big Ten school
The Top 4:
1. Woody Hayes.................205...(1951-1978)
2. Kirk Ferentz...................202...(1999-2024)
3. Amos Alonzo Stagg.....199
4. Bo Schembechler.........194...(1969-1989)
After today's win over Wisconsin:
Most Career Wins at a Big Ten school
The Top 4:
1. Woody Hayes.................205...(1951-1978)
2. Kirk Ferentz...................202...(1999-2024)
3. Amos Alonzo Stagg.....199
4. Bo Schembechler.........194...(1969-1989)
I know many have their pitch forks out & want KF fired, but I think he's around at least 1 more year to (1) break Woody's record; and (2) get to a 60% winning percentage so he's eligible for the Hall of Fame
