Before I start criticizing anyone, I just want to say something about Ferentz's salary. Sure, I don't think he deserves that much money. But even if he only made $1 a year, I still think the job he's doing, the stubbornness, keeping GD, etc., is a problem.
Sure, Ferentz is a problem, but who is responsible for not only NOT fixing the problem, but intentionally making the problem worse by keeping him around, not holding him accountable for poor job performance, and giving him contract extensions?
If Barta won't solve the problem he's a worse problem. Ferentz is a fan base's worst nightmare. The only reason Iowa isn't as bad as ISU is because, despite Ferentz's best attempts to make us look non-sexy, Iowa is just plain sexier than ISU. We have Hayden Fry to thank for that.
Now I am glad that Iowa made it to the Orange Bowl twice, winning one, and making it to the Rose Bowl last year for the first time in a generation. Some people think that's evidence that KF is the best we can get. But it's not like that happens very often. Winning our division and the conference is our goal every year. It should be the goal of every team. But achieving that goal once every 7 or 10 years isn't acceptable. Making an appearance in a major bowl game once a decade or so isn't evidence of a good coach, nor does it excuse half the seasons being mediocre.
I honestly think that if ISU's recent coaches were head coaches at Iowa, they wouldn't do any worse. They would definitely have more success at Iowa simply because of the better image and reputation Iowa has compared to ISU. If KF was the head coach at ISU, he wouldn't do any better than the recent ISU coaches, either. In fact, he might do worse. Last year was a fluke. When we played decent teams, we lost. Sure, we beat the teams we were supposed to, but we just weren't as good as everyone thought, so last year is inaccurate in measuring KF's job performance. KF isn't willing to make necessary changes to right the ship. Neither is Barta.
Some people think that if Ferentz is fired (kinda like if gravity just hypothetically just stopped - it isn't going to happen) that things would just fall apart at Iowa. That we wouldn't win a game for 5 years. I really don't think that's the case. Even if we got an absolute dumb coach, I don't think it would be as bad as people think. Some people think that Ferentz is the best we'll ever get, so don't let him go! As long as the next coach is willing to change, adapt to situations, and just plain care about the program and have pride in himself, the fans, the team, and the university, I think he would have the ingredients to succeed. Having the right attitude, the drive, the desire is more important than not having as much on his resume as Ferentz had. Even if the next coach is absolutely dumb, if he's charismatic and wants to win, players are going to want to play for him.
Barta should be held accountable for his mistakes as well. But he isn't being held accountable. Hell, maybe Barta's bosses TOLD him to give him those insane contracts for all we know. The truth is, only Barta can hold Ferentz accountable, but he won't.
Who will hold Barta accountable? The president? The board? I don't see that happening.
Just my opinions. I'm probably totally wrong. Wouldn't surprise me. Go Hawks
Sure, Ferentz is a problem, but who is responsible for not only NOT fixing the problem, but intentionally making the problem worse by keeping him around, not holding him accountable for poor job performance, and giving him contract extensions?
If Barta won't solve the problem he's a worse problem. Ferentz is a fan base's worst nightmare. The only reason Iowa isn't as bad as ISU is because, despite Ferentz's best attempts to make us look non-sexy, Iowa is just plain sexier than ISU. We have Hayden Fry to thank for that.
Now I am glad that Iowa made it to the Orange Bowl twice, winning one, and making it to the Rose Bowl last year for the first time in a generation. Some people think that's evidence that KF is the best we can get. But it's not like that happens very often. Winning our division and the conference is our goal every year. It should be the goal of every team. But achieving that goal once every 7 or 10 years isn't acceptable. Making an appearance in a major bowl game once a decade or so isn't evidence of a good coach, nor does it excuse half the seasons being mediocre.
I honestly think that if ISU's recent coaches were head coaches at Iowa, they wouldn't do any worse. They would definitely have more success at Iowa simply because of the better image and reputation Iowa has compared to ISU. If KF was the head coach at ISU, he wouldn't do any better than the recent ISU coaches, either. In fact, he might do worse. Last year was a fluke. When we played decent teams, we lost. Sure, we beat the teams we were supposed to, but we just weren't as good as everyone thought, so last year is inaccurate in measuring KF's job performance. KF isn't willing to make necessary changes to right the ship. Neither is Barta.
Some people think that if Ferentz is fired (kinda like if gravity just hypothetically just stopped - it isn't going to happen) that things would just fall apart at Iowa. That we wouldn't win a game for 5 years. I really don't think that's the case. Even if we got an absolute dumb coach, I don't think it would be as bad as people think. Some people think that Ferentz is the best we'll ever get, so don't let him go! As long as the next coach is willing to change, adapt to situations, and just plain care about the program and have pride in himself, the fans, the team, and the university, I think he would have the ingredients to succeed. Having the right attitude, the drive, the desire is more important than not having as much on his resume as Ferentz had. Even if the next coach is absolutely dumb, if he's charismatic and wants to win, players are going to want to play for him.
Barta should be held accountable for his mistakes as well. But he isn't being held accountable. Hell, maybe Barta's bosses TOLD him to give him those insane contracts for all we know. The truth is, only Barta can hold Ferentz accountable, but he won't.
Who will hold Barta accountable? The president? The board? I don't see that happening.
Just my opinions. I'm probably totally wrong. Wouldn't surprise me. Go Hawks
