I'm sure the players all understand how much the fans appreciate what they've accomplished this year. They've brought pride and recognition not just to the University, but to the entire state. And that is not in the least bit dampened by last night's results. To the guys from out-of-state, they might not fully comprehend what this kind of season means to the fans. They don't realize just how much Iowans live-and-breath their Hawkeyes. Hopefully the native Iowans on the team will help them understand how much the fans appreciate them.
And to the coaches -- and I am as big a critic as anybody about their game-time decisions -- you cannot deny the incredible accomplishment they've had in running such a successful program in a state with so much going against it. We are a small, rural state with harsh winters. We have no major urban centers. We never get the top recruits, yet the coaches manage to train and motivate the kids who choose to come here so they are always competitive with teams consisting of much more talented kids; and frequently they are among the best in the nation. Assuming we finish top-10 this year, that will be the fifth time in fifteen years. That is nothing short of remarkable, even if the coaches are not creative enough at game time. Further, our coaches reflect well on our state in their conduct at all times. Who isn't proud to have Kirk Ferentz represent us?
It's been a great year. And hopefully they can end it with a nice exclamation point in whatever bowl game is lucky enough to have them. But in either case I personally am very appreciate of this team and the coaches. Well done.
And to the coaches -- and I am as big a critic as anybody about their game-time decisions -- you cannot deny the incredible accomplishment they've had in running such a successful program in a state with so much going against it. We are a small, rural state with harsh winters. We have no major urban centers. We never get the top recruits, yet the coaches manage to train and motivate the kids who choose to come here so they are always competitive with teams consisting of much more talented kids; and frequently they are among the best in the nation. Assuming we finish top-10 this year, that will be the fifth time in fifteen years. That is nothing short of remarkable, even if the coaches are not creative enough at game time. Further, our coaches reflect well on our state in their conduct at all times. Who isn't proud to have Kirk Ferentz represent us?
It's been a great year. And hopefully they can end it with a nice exclamation point in whatever bowl game is lucky enough to have them. But in either case I personally am very appreciate of this team and the coaches. Well done.
