But Kirk is "hands off" when it comes to the defense. Not with the offense. That's the difference.
This is why Iowa's offense continues to run every play from the I formation with the QB under center, using a FB, and varying only between one- and two-TE sets. For the last 24 years Kirk has refused to let his OCs put the QBs in the shotgun, or run a play without a FB, or put a man in motion, or use trip wide receivers to one side, let alone (God forbid!) run a play from an empty set!
Oh wait! They did those things a bunch of times! I forgot that its the OC's fault when the wide receivers and tight ends drop passes, or the QB throws the pass three feet behind the receiver.
I'm not defending Brian, but his offense wasn't being limited by Kirk. It was being limited by poor execution, and maybe some predictable play calling. When we have had a good enough QB and some good WRs, as we did during the Nate Stanley years, our offense could put up a lot of points, as it did against Ohio State and Southern Cal, or at least enough points, like against Mississippi State's very tough defense.
I don't see the problem being Kirk micromanaging the offense; I see it being Kirk wanting an OC who he is absolutely certain will fit in to the family, because he already knows him well. Sadly, Kirk hasn't worked with that many other coaches, because Iowa hasn't had much turnover, who could and would be good candidates for the job. So the pool he will choose from is likely very small.