Kirk Ferentz may not be leaving Iowa anytime soon, but every good AD ought to have a short list of targets in mind in the event of a coaching vacancy. With that in mind, I wanted to start a discussion of some of the potential candidates for the Iowa job, should it come open after this season.
(To be clear, I am not advocating for or against a change … I just think this could be an interesting discussion.)
The things I would want to see in a new head coach is someone with proven experience at the highest levels of college football, a strong coaching pedigree, and someone who would be a good cultural fit with the University of Iowa.
I’ll start the list off with a few of the folks I would want to talk to. Feel free to add others to the list.
Mark Stoops, Kentucky head coach. Age 55. Great track record at a school where it’s been difficult to win. Strong Iowa ties.
Bob Stoops, former Oklahoma coach. I don’t think this one is feasible, but it’s worth a conversation. His qualifications are obvious, but his hunger to take on a new program is in doubt. Also, at 62, he’s a bit older than the ideal candidate. (I would want to get at least 10 years out of our new hire.)
Bret Bielema, Illinois head coach. Age 52. Proven track record two different B1G schools. (And a disappointing few years at Arkansas.) Strong Iowa ties, with the tattoo to prove it. How would we feel about hiring from within the B1G?
Phil Parker, current Hawkeye DC. Parker would be the obvious inside hire, but the speculation has been that he has no interest in being a head coach. Also, at age 59, he’s older than the ideal candidate.
Lavar Woods, current Hawkeye special teams coordinator. Age 44. I’m not sure Woods’ current role makes him qualified for a Power 5 head coaching job, but if you are going to hire from within, he might be the most logical choice. His special teams have been outstanding.
Jim Leonhard, current Wisconsin interim head coach. Age 39. He’s probably on the inside track for the Wisconsin job, but you never know …
Lance Leipold, current Kansas head coach. He’s quickly turned Kansas around, after having previously been successful at Buffalo. He could also be a candidate at Wisconsin or Nebraska. (Wisconsin native). Age 58 — a little older than the ideal.
Jay Norvell, current Colorado State head coach. A little rocky in his first year at CSU, but he did well previously at Nevada. The former Hawkeye player has obvious Iowa ties. At age 59, he’s also older than the ideal candidate.
These are just a few names off the top of my head. Who else should be on the list?
(To be clear, I am not advocating for or against a change … I just think this could be an interesting discussion.)
The things I would want to see in a new head coach is someone with proven experience at the highest levels of college football, a strong coaching pedigree, and someone who would be a good cultural fit with the University of Iowa.
I’ll start the list off with a few of the folks I would want to talk to. Feel free to add others to the list.
Mark Stoops, Kentucky head coach. Age 55. Great track record at a school where it’s been difficult to win. Strong Iowa ties.
Bob Stoops, former Oklahoma coach. I don’t think this one is feasible, but it’s worth a conversation. His qualifications are obvious, but his hunger to take on a new program is in doubt. Also, at 62, he’s a bit older than the ideal candidate. (I would want to get at least 10 years out of our new hire.)
Bret Bielema, Illinois head coach. Age 52. Proven track record two different B1G schools. (And a disappointing few years at Arkansas.) Strong Iowa ties, with the tattoo to prove it. How would we feel about hiring from within the B1G?
Phil Parker, current Hawkeye DC. Parker would be the obvious inside hire, but the speculation has been that he has no interest in being a head coach. Also, at age 59, he’s older than the ideal candidate.
Lavar Woods, current Hawkeye special teams coordinator. Age 44. I’m not sure Woods’ current role makes him qualified for a Power 5 head coaching job, but if you are going to hire from within, he might be the most logical choice. His special teams have been outstanding.
Jim Leonhard, current Wisconsin interim head coach. Age 39. He’s probably on the inside track for the Wisconsin job, but you never know …
Lance Leipold, current Kansas head coach. He’s quickly turned Kansas around, after having previously been successful at Buffalo. He could also be a candidate at Wisconsin or Nebraska. (Wisconsin native). Age 58 — a little older than the ideal.
Jay Norvell, current Colorado State head coach. A little rocky in his first year at CSU, but he did well previously at Nevada. The former Hawkeye player has obvious Iowa ties. At age 59, he’s also older than the ideal candidate.
These are just a few names off the top of my head. Who else should be on the list?