The Conference Championship Drought

[hawkdave007]

Here's my research on the Iowa conference championship drought and how we compare to other Big Ten Programs.

Big Ten Conference Championship Drought by School:

School – Drought Length (Year of Championship) – Coach Who Won – Coach Status With the Program

Michigan – 1 year (2023) – Harbaugh – Retired

Ohio State – 4 years (2020) – Day – Active

Penn State – 8 years (2016) – Franklin – Active

Michigan State – 9 years (2015) – Dantonio – Retired

Wisconsin – 12 years (2012) – Bielema – Left

Iowa – 20 years (2004) – Ferentz – Active

Illinois – 23 years (2001) – Turner – Fired

Northwestern – 24 years (2000) – Walker – Deceased

Purdue – 24 years (2000) – Tiller – Retired

Minnesota – 57 years (1967) – Warmuth – Fired

Indiana – 57 years (1967) – Pont – Left

Nebraska – NEVER

Maryland – NEVER

Rutgers – NEVER

[I'm leaving out the newly joined PAC schools]



Here's my research on the longest-tenured CFB coaches, and how they each fair, individually.

Longest Tenured College Football Coaches and The Years Since Their Last Conference Championship:

Coach – School – Tenure – Years Since Last Conference Championship (Year of Championship)

Pat Narduzzi – Pittsburgh – 10 years – 3 years (2021)

Chuck Martin – Miami (OH) – 11 years – 1 year (2023)

Chris Creighton – Eastern Michigan – 11 years - NEVER

Jeff Monken – Army – 11 Years – N/A

K.C. Keeler – Sam Houston State – 11 years – 3 years (2021, WAC)

James Franklin – Penn State – 11 years – 8 years (2016)

Dave Clawson – Wake Forest – 11 years - NEVER

Mark Stoops – Kentucky – 12 years – NEVER

Dave Doeren – NC State – 12 years – NEVER

Dabo Swinney – Clemson – 16 years – 2 years (2022)

Troy Calhoun – Air Force – 18 years – NEVER

Kyle Wittingham – Utah – 20 years – 2 years (2022)

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State – 20 years – 13 years (2011)

Kirk Ferentz – Iowa - 25 years – 20 years (2004)


For reference, here's a random list of some coaches who retired, didn't "go out in top", and how far they were removed from their last conference championship when they finally decided (or were asked) to hang it up:

Coach - Years Since Last Conference Championship at Retirement - Year Last Won Conference Championship

Mark Farley - 13 years - 2011
Craig Bohl - 10 years - NEVER @ Wyoming
Hayden Fry - 8 years - 1990
Joe Tiller - 8 years - 2000
Barry Alvarez - 6 years - 1999
Bill Snyder - 6 years - 2012
Bobby Bowden - 4 years - 2005
Lloyd Carr - 3 years - 2004


Analysis:

This is intended as a counter to Scott Dochterman and his ilk who say that Iowa Fans have no right to be disgruntled. The numbers here speak for themselves.

Iowa Fans aren't frustrated because we don't appreciate any of the Program accomplishments. Many of us are frustrated at the lack of winning the conference. Period.

Iowa has the 6th longest drought among Big Ten Schools, and Kirk has the longest drought among active coaches. I'd venture to guess that many of the coaches at the 11/12 year (or more) mark are firmly on the hot seat, outside of maybe Troy Calhoun at Air Force because it's a military academy (subject to a 2024 retirement/firing).

Bottom line: few coaches make it to year 13 without winning their conference, let alone year 20, before being told "it's time".

Yes, this is an uncomfortable truth, but it's better to confront the uncomfortable truth than to accuse people off being ungrateful and lacking perspective.

 

[TXHCHawk]

Here's my research on the Iowa conference championship drought and how we compare to other Big Ten Programs.

Big Ten Conference Championship Drought by School:

School – Drought Length (Year of Championship) – Coach Who Won – Coach Status With the Program

Michigan – 1 year (2023) – Harbaugh – Retired

Ohio State – 4 years (2020) – Day – Active

Penn State – 8 years (2016) – Franklin – Active

Michigan State – 9 years (2015) – Dantonio – Retired

Wisconsin – 12 years (2012) – Bielema – Left

Iowa – 20 years (2004) – Ferentz – Active

Illinois – 23 years (2001) – Turner – Fired

Northwestern – 24 years (2000) – Walker – Deceased

Purdue – 24 years (2000) – Tiller – Retired

Minnesota – 57 years (1967) – Warmuth – Fired

Indiana – 57 years (1967) – Pont – Left

Nebraska – NEVER

Maryland – NEVER

Rutgers – NEVER

[I'm leaving out the newly joined PAC schools]



Here's my research on the longest-tenured CFB coaches, and how they each fair, individually.

Longest Tenured College Football Coaches and The Years Since Their Last Conference Championship:

Coach – School – Tenure – Years Since Last Conference Championship (Year of Championship)

Pat Narduzzi – Pittsburgh – 10 years – 3 years (2021)

Chuck Martin – Miami (OH) – 11 years – 1 year (2023)

Chris Creighton – Eastern Michigan – 11 years - NEVER

Jeff Monken – Army – 11 Years – N/A

K.C. Keeler – Sam Houston State – 11 years – 3 years (2021, WAC)

James Franklin – Penn State – 11 years – 8 years (2016)

Dave Clawson – Wake Forest – 11 years - NEVER

Mark Stoops – Kentucky – 12 years – NEVER

Dave Doeren – NC State – 12 years – NEVER

Dabo Swinney – Clemson – 16 years – 2 years (2022)

Troy Calhoun – Air Force – 18 years – NEVER

Kyle Wittingham – Utah – 20 years – 2 years (2022)

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State – 20 years – 13 years (2011)

Kirk Ferentz – Iowa 25 years – 20 years (2004)


For reference, here's a random list of some coaches who retired, didn't "go out in top", and how far they were removed from their last conference championship when they finally decided (or were asked) to hang it up:

Coach - Years Since Last Conference Championship at Retirement - Year Last Won Conference Championship

Mark Farley - 13 years - 2011
Craig Bohl - 10 years - NEVER @ Wyoming
Hayden Fry - 8 years - 1990
Joe Tiller - 8 years - 2000
Barry Alvarez - 6 years - 1999
Bill Snyder - 6 years - 2012
Bobby Bowden - 4 years - 2005
Lloyd Carr - 3 years - 2004


Analysis:

This is intended as a counter to Scott Dochterman and his ilk who say that Iowa Fans have no right to be disgruntled. The numbers here speak for themselves.

Iowa Fans aren't frustrated because we don't appreciate any of the Program accomplishments. Many of us are frustrated at the lack of winning the conference. Period.

Iowa has the 6th longest drought among Big Ten Schools, and Kirk has the longest drought among active coaches. I'd venture to guess that many of the coaches at the 11/12 year (or more) mark are firmly on the hot seat, outside of maybe Troy Calhoun at Air Force because it's a military academy (subject to a 2024 retirement/firing).

Bottom line: few coaches make it to year 13 without winning their conference, let alone year 20, before being told "it's time".

Yes, this is an uncomfortable truth, but it's better to confront the uncomfortable truth than to accuse people off being ungrateful and lacking perspective.

Nice work.

 

[Gonzo Bloor]

Impressive. I usually boil it down to this... in 26 years at Iowa KF has won 0 outright conference titles and 1 NY6 level bowl game.

Still, Dochterman and the idiot fanboys on here insist on treating him like he's Jesus. It's the cult of low expectations.

 

[fearthefuture21]

Impressive. I usually boil it down to this... in 26 years at Iowa KF has won 0 outright conference titles and 1 NY6 level bowl game.

Still, Dochterman and the idiot fanboys on here insist on treating him like he's Jesus. It's the cult of low expectations.

You are part of the delusion. We are Iowa, the midde of no where with zero history to attract top talent. It is the equivalent to being an A's fan and being pissed you can never compete with the dodgers and yankees. The ceiling is 9-11 games with the occasional 12 when literally everything goes their way.

Do you honestly think when Kirk retires tier 1 coaches are going to be lining up to take over? We are forever a developmental program with zero huge donors to pay for 5* talent.

This is who we are, have always been, and always will be. Shut up and enjoy or go root for the bama's of the world.

 

[Shafthawk]

The Big Ten is a different animal now as compared to when Fry coached. No more winning the Conference per tie breaker.

Hayden had 3 Conference Championships. 81’, 85’ and 90’

2 of the 3 he tied for 1st and got to go to the Rose Bowl per tie breaker. Only in 85’ did he truly win the Conference outright.

His records were 81’- 8-4 (6-2).
85’- 10-2 (7-1). And 90’- 8-4 (6-2).

Twice he went to the Rose Bowl with 2 Conference losses. His outright season had 1 Conference loss.

KF has won a share of the Conference Championship twice, in 2002 and 2004. His records were 02’- 11-2 (8-0) and 04’- 10-2 (7-1). He has better records in his Conference Championships in order to get the 2 shared titles.

He also didn’t get a shared title in 2015 with a perfect regular season record because of the start of the Conference Championship game.

There is a lot of revisionist history here regarding Fry. In reality, he benefited from the old tie breaker rule of “in the event of a conference record tie, the team who hasn’t been to the Rose Bowl the longest gets the Rose Bowl invite.

Those who have the mindset of Conference Championship or bust, are going to be a miserable bunch.

 

[fehfkf]

1985 was last outright football championship

 

[Shafthawk]

1985 was last outright football championship

Fixed, Thanks

 

[fehfkf]

According to Wiki
Outright championships
1896 (not the big ten)
1921
1956
1958
1985

National Championships
1921
1922
1956
1958
1960
None of these championships are from the AP or coaches poll. These 5 championships happen under 2 coaches

Conference championships are nice but in reality the football coach is paid to keep the stadium full and the money coming in. I agree that it’s been too long since our last championship and Kirk needs to retire he has been here way too long.

Forest Evashevski had concerns about Iowa being able to compete when we went to 2 platoon football.

 

[WaterTower]

Here's my research on the Iowa conference championship drought and how we compare to other Big Ten Programs.

Big Ten Conference Championship Drought by School:

School – Drought Length (Year of Championship) – Coach Who Won – Coach Status With the Program

Michigan – 1 year (2023) – Harbaugh – Retired

Ohio State – 4 years (2020) – Day – Active

Penn State – 8 years (2016) – Franklin – Active

Michigan State – 9 years (2015) – Dantonio – Retired

Wisconsin – 12 years (2012) – Bielema – Left

Iowa – 20 years (2004) – Ferentz – Active

Illinois – 23 years (2001) – Turner – Fired

Northwestern – 24 years (2000) – Walker – Deceased

Purdue – 24 years (2000) – Tiller – Retired

Minnesota – 57 years (1967) – Warmuth – Fired

Indiana – 57 years (1967) – Pont – Left

Nebraska – NEVER

Maryland – NEVER

Rutgers – NEVER

[I'm leaving out the newly joined PAC schools]



Here's my research on the longest-tenured CFB coaches, and how they each fair, individually.

Longest Tenured College Football Coaches and The Years Since Their Last Conference Championship:

Coach – School – Tenure – Years Since Last Conference Championship (Year of Championship)

Pat Narduzzi – Pittsburgh – 10 years – 3 years (2021)

Chuck Martin – Miami (OH) – 11 years – 1 year (2023)

Chris Creighton – Eastern Michigan – 11 years - NEVER

Jeff Monken – Army – 11 Years – N/A

K.C. Keeler – Sam Houston State – 11 years – 3 years (2021, WAC)

James Franklin – Penn State – 11 years – 8 years (2016)

Dave Clawson – Wake Forest – 11 years - NEVER

Mark Stoops – Kentucky – 12 years – NEVER

Dave Doeren – NC State – 12 years – NEVER

Dabo Swinney – Clemson – 16 years – 2 years (2022)

Troy Calhoun – Air Force – 18 years – NEVER

Kyle Wittingham – Utah – 20 years – 2 years (2022)

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State – 20 years – 13 years (2011)

Kirk Ferentz – Iowa - 25 years – 20 years (2004)


For reference, here's a random list of some coaches who retired, didn't "go out in top", and how far they were removed from their last conference championship when they finally decided (or were asked) to hang it up:

Coach - Years Since Last Conference Championship at Retirement - Year Last Won Conference Championship

Mark Farley - 13 years - 2011
Craig Bohl - 10 years - NEVER @ Wyoming
Hayden Fry - 8 years - 1990
Joe Tiller - 8 years - 2000
Barry Alvarez - 6 years - 1999
Bill Snyder - 6 years - 2012
Bobby Bowden - 4 years - 2005
Lloyd Carr - 3 years - 2004


Analysis:

This is intended as a counter to Scott Dochterman and his ilk who say that Iowa Fans have no right to be disgruntled. The numbers here speak for themselves.

Iowa Fans aren't frustrated because we don't appreciate any of the Program accomplishments. Many of us are frustrated at the lack of winning the conference. Period.

Iowa has the 6th longest drought among Big Ten Schools, and Kirk has the longest drought among active coaches. I'd venture to guess that many of the coaches at the 11/12 year (or more) mark are firmly on the hot seat, outside of maybe Troy Calhoun at Air Force because it's a military academy (subject to a 2024 retirement/firing).

Bottom line: few coaches make it to year 13 without winning their conference, let alone year 20, before being told "it's time".

Yes, this is an uncomfortable truth, but it's better to confront the uncomfortable truth than to accuse people off being ungrateful and lacking perspective.

Nice work. I'm not frustrated so much by not winning the conference with teams like OSU to compete with as much as I'm frustrated with Ferentz never shaking anything up

Here's my research on the Iowa conference championship drought and how we compare to other Big Ten Programs.

Big Ten Conference Championship Drought by School:

School – Drought Length (Year of Championship) – Coach Who Won – Coach Status With the Program

Michigan – 1 year (2023) – Harbaugh – Retired

Ohio State – 4 years (2020) – Day – Active

Penn State – 8 years (2016) – Franklin – Active

Michigan State – 9 years (2015) – Dantonio – Retired

Wisconsin – 12 years (2012) – Bielema – Left

Iowa – 20 years (2004) – Ferentz – Active

Illinois – 23 years (2001) – Turner – Fired

Northwestern – 24 years (2000) – Walker – Deceased

Purdue – 24 years (2000) – Tiller – Retired

Minnesota – 57 years (1967) – Warmuth – Fired

Indiana – 57 years (1967) – Pont – Left

Nebraska – NEVER

Maryland – NEVER

Rutgers – NEVER

[I'm leaving out the newly joined PAC schools]



Here's my research on the longest-tenured CFB coaches, and how they each fair, individually.

Longest Tenured College Football Coaches and The Years Since Their Last Conference Championship:

Coach – School – Tenure – Years Since Last Conference Championship (Year of Championship)

Pat Narduzzi – Pittsburgh – 10 years – 3 years (2021)

Chuck Martin – Miami (OH) – 11 years – 1 year (2023)

Chris Creighton – Eastern Michigan – 11 years - NEVER

Jeff Monken – Army – 11 Years – N/A

K.C. Keeler – Sam Houston State – 11 years – 3 years (2021, WAC)

James Franklin – Penn State – 11 years – 8 years (2016)

Dave Clawson – Wake Forest – 11 years - NEVER

Mark Stoops – Kentucky – 12 years – NEVER

Dave Doeren – NC State – 12 years – NEVER

Dabo Swinney – Clemson – 16 years – 2 years (2022)

Troy Calhoun – Air Force – 18 years – NEVER

Kyle Wittingham – Utah – 20 years – 2 years (2022)

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State – 20 years – 13 years (2011)

Kirk Ferentz – Iowa - 25 years – 20 years (2004)


For reference, here's a random list of some coaches who retired, didn't "go out in top", and how far they were removed from their last conference championship when they finally decided (or were asked) to hang it up:

Coach - Years Since Last Conference Championship at Retirement - Year Last Won Conference Championship

Mark Farley - 13 years - 2011
Craig Bohl - 10 years - NEVER @ Wyoming
Hayden Fry - 8 years - 1990
Joe Tiller - 8 years - 2000
Barry Alvarez - 6 years - 1999
Bill Snyder - 6 years - 2012
Bobby Bowden - 4 years - 2005
Lloyd Carr - 3 years - 2004


Analysis:

This is intended as a counter to Scott Dochterman and his ilk who say that Iowa Fans have no right to be disgruntled. The numbers here speak for themselves.

Iowa Fans aren't frustrated because we don't appreciate any of the Program accomplishments. Many of us are frustrated at the lack of winning the conference. Period.

Iowa has the 6th longest drought among Big Ten Schools, and Kirk has the longest drought among active coaches. I'd venture to guess that many of the coaches at the 11/12 year (or more) mark are firmly on the hot seat, outside of maybe Troy Calhoun at Air Force because it's a military academy (subject to a 2024 retirement/firing).

Bottom line: few coaches make it to year 13 without winning their conference, let alone year 20, before being told "it's time".

Yes, this is an uncomfortable truth, but it's better to confront the uncomfortable truth than to accuse people off being ungrateful and lacking perspective.

My frustration doesn't stem from not winning Championships. With teams like OSU Michigan etc. In the conference winning a championship is quite a reach. My frustration comes from KFs bullheadedness in not changing anything.

 

[joelbc1]

You are part of the delusion. We are Iowa, the midde of no where with zero history to attract top talent. It is the equivalent to being an A's fan and being pissed you can never compete with the dodgers and yankees. The ceiling is 9-11 games with the occasional 12 when literally everything goes their way.

Do you honestly think when Kirk retires tier 1 coaches are going to be lining up to take over? We are forever a developmental program with zero huge donors to pay for 5* talent.

This is who we are, have always been, and always will be. Shut up and enjoy or go root for the bama's of the world.

Bingo!
Kirk figured out “the Iowa job”… as did Hayden and in far different times, so did Evy. Iowa is developmental program that relies on home grown talent. Population starved, and white just doesn’t open itself up for diverse and athletic talents. Iowa may be “Iowa nice” but Iowa’s weather is “Iowa shitty” and there is nothing about Iowa that lures youth to the state. To compete Iowa must try harder and we Iowans need to understand there are limits to Iowa’s appeal to outsiders. (I suggest you listen to “Iowa Stubborn” as performed in Meredith Willson’s The Music Man…. WiLLson, a native Iowan, truly understood what Iowa is!)

 

[obfuscating]

Oregon, 1 yr.

It is not going to get easier for the Iowas of the conference.

 

[Beattheohiostate]

Here's my research on the Iowa conference championship drought and how we compare to other Big Ten Programs.

Big Ten Conference Championship Drought by School:

School – Drought Length (Year of Championship) – Coach Who Won – Coach Status With the Program

Michigan – 1 year (2023) – Harbaugh – Retired

Ohio State – 4 years (2020) – Day – Active

Penn State – 8 years (2016) – Franklin – Active

Michigan State – 9 years (2015) – Dantonio – Retired

Wisconsin – 12 years (2012) – Bielema – Left

Iowa – 20 years (2004) – Ferentz – Active

Illinois – 23 years (2001) – Turner – Fired

Northwestern – 24 years (2000) – Walker – Deceased

Purdue – 24 years (2000) – Tiller – Retired

Minnesota – 57 years (1967) – Warmuth – Fired

Indiana – 57 years (1967) – Pont – Left

Nebraska – NEVER

Maryland – NEVER

Rutgers – NEVER

[I'm leaving out the newly joined PAC schools]



Here's my research on the longest-tenured CFB coaches, and how they each fair, individually.

Longest Tenured College Football Coaches and The Years Since Their Last Conference Championship:

Coach – School – Tenure – Years Since Last Conference Championship (Year of Championship)

Pat Narduzzi – Pittsburgh – 10 years – 3 years (2021)

Chuck Martin – Miami (OH) – 11 years – 1 year (2023)

Chris Creighton – Eastern Michigan – 11 years - NEVER

Jeff Monken – Army – 11 Years – N/A

K.C. Keeler – Sam Houston State – 11 years – 3 years (2021, WAC)

James Franklin – Penn State – 11 years – 8 years (2016)

Dave Clawson – Wake Forest – 11 years - NEVER

Mark Stoops – Kentucky – 12 years – NEVER

Dave Doeren – NC State – 12 years – NEVER

Dabo Swinney – Clemson – 16 years – 2 years (2022)

Troy Calhoun – Air Force – 18 years – NEVER

Kyle Wittingham – Utah – 20 years – 2 years (2022)

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State – 20 years – 13 years (2011)

Kirk Ferentz – Iowa - 25 years – 20 years (2004)


For reference, here's a random list of some coaches who retired, didn't "go out in top", and how far they were removed from their last conference championship when they finally decided (or were asked) to hang it up:

Coach - Years Since Last Conference Championship at Retirement - Year Last Won Conference Championship

Mark Farley - 13 years - 2011
Craig Bohl - 10 years - NEVER @ Wyoming
Hayden Fry - 8 years - 1990
Joe Tiller - 8 years - 2000
Barry Alvarez - 6 years - 1999
Bill Snyder - 6 years - 2012
Bobby Bowden - 4 years - 2005
Lloyd Carr - 3 years - 2004


Analysis:

This is intended as a counter to Scott Dochterman and his ilk who say that Iowa Fans have no right to be disgruntled. The numbers here speak for themselves.

Iowa Fans aren't frustrated because we don't appreciate any of the Program accomplishments. Many of us are frustrated at the lack of winning the conference. Period.

Iowa has the 6th longest drought among Big Ten Schools, and Kirk has the longest drought among active coaches. I'd venture to guess that many of the coaches at the 11/12 year (or more) mark are firmly on the hot seat, outside of maybe Troy Calhoun at Air Force because it's a military academy (subject to a 2024 retirement/firing).

Bottom line: few coaches make it to year 13 without winning their conference, let alone year 20, before being told "it's time".

Yes, this is an uncomfortable truth, but it's better to confront the uncomfortable truth than to accuse people off being ungrateful and lacking perspective.

Excellent use of FACTS and EVIDENCE to support your opinion. I heard that used to be a thing . . .

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I hope KF retires too. But it seems unnecessary to trash what he has done at Iowa.

Those 8 schools that have had a longer championship drought in the B1G - how many coaches have they hired during that span? Four or five each maybe?

Add in Michigan St and Wisconsin coaching changes since the last championship. It's got to be 40+ coaches. And it didn't seem to magically make a difference. And I have serious doubts that it would have at Iowa either.

And, those coaches that were fired didn't simply fail to win a championship, in most case they failed to have a winning record. There are a handful of schools in the country that would have fired a coach with KF's record at any point in his tenure.

I think Dochterman was simply observing the knee-jerk reaction to a loss at UCLA. Not that KF should stay around forever.

I agree it's time to give someone else an opportunity. But all this KF bashing is a little over the top.

 

[Biggus Blockus]

In the new landscape of semi-professional football, unless you can have a payroll of between 20-25 million per year, you won't get the type of players needed to win Championships consistently (let's say consistency means a championship once every 5 years either conference or national).

You can catch lightning in a bottle (see Indiana) but once they start playing the top tier teams the talent gap will also be exposed. A developmental program like Iowa is at a significant disadvantage as the key players will all have to "peak" at the same time, and they cannot be injured as depth is always a concern, and the ball has to bounce your way more frequently than not. Even then it will take a truly magical season to compete against the NFL lite teams.

Enjoy the 8 -10 win seasons and program respectability for what they are. That's Iowa's championship.

 

[uihawk82]

I liked our team in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 even without the big time offense. Actually the 2020 team was trucking teams once it got its OLine settled and Campbell and Benson got healthy. I mean trucking teams.

The hawks won a lot of games in those 4 years but I and others saw the chance to win some championships go out the window with the poor offense.

I just hope Kirk gets his all time wins record and decides to hang it up that year or maybe after one more transition year.

I think Levar Woods would be a great successor if we cannot find a Gem outside of the program. Very good player and NFL experience, has soaked up a lot of what it takes to be a head coach, diversity, I have never heard but maybe a deal closer in recruiting.

 

[kceasthawk]

In the new landscape of semi-professional football, unless you can have a payroll of between 20-25 million per year, you won't get the type of players needed to win Championships consistently (let's say consistency means a championship once every 5 years either conference or national).

You can catch lightning in a bottle (see Indiana) but once they start playing the top tier teams the talent gap will also be exposed. A developmental program like Iowa is at a significant disadvantage as the key players will all have to "peak" at the same time, and they cannot be injured as depth is always a concern, and the ball has to bounce your way more frequently than not. Even then it will take a truly magical season to compete against the NFL lite teams.

Enjoy the 8 -10 win seasons and program respectability for what they are. That's Iowa's championship.

Agree, but that just makes us "fan boys" evidently. I'd call it be a realist, but to each their own, which makes forums like this one have meaning.....

 

[onlyTheObvious]

With a good schedule and including title game you would at a minimum needs to beat two of the teams below
Oregon, Ohio st, Michigan, Penn State and not stub your toe against any one hit wonders like Indiana.

Also knowing USC will be spending money like few other teams can in NIL.

 

[swihawk]

According to Wiki
Outright championships
1896 (not the big ten)
1921
1956
1958
1985

National Championships
1921
1922
1956
1958
1960
None of these championships are from the AP or coaches poll. These 5 championships happen under 2 coaches

Conference championships are nice but in reality the football coach is paid to keep the stadium full and the money coming in. I agree that it’s been too long since our last championship and Kirk needs to retire he has been here way too long.

Forest Evashevski had concerns about Iowa being able to compete when we went to 2 platoon football.

Just a different group of football experts voting their own polls. Legitimate, back in their day.

 

[CAhawki]

Oregon, 1 yr.

It is not going to get easier for the Iowas of the conference.

Kirks best chance was the last 14ish years and he squandered it beautifully.

 

[radicalhawk]

Something out of the trivia bag. In Oregon's first year in The Big Ten, they defeated Ohio State and Michigan. Iowa hasn't defeated those two teams in the same year since fricking 1962.

 

[joelbc1]

Something out of the trivia bag. In Oregon's first year in The Big Ten, they defeated Ohio State and Michigan. Iowa hasn't defeated those two teams in the same year since fricking 1962.

Tell me radical…..how often since 1962 has Iowa played tOSU and UMichigan in the same year? It is seldom an annual event.

 

[radicalhawk]

Tell me radical…..how often since 1962 has Iowa played tOSU and UMichigan in the same year? It is seldom an annual event.

Correct, it's seldom an annual event. Since 1962, Iowa has played Michigan and Ohio State in the same year 26 times. Iowa is 0 - 26 those 26 times. Is that some small comfort? I don't think so. Iowa rarely can hang with the big boys.

 

[HawknBadgerLand]

Here's my research on the Iowa conference championship drought and how we compare to other Big Ten Programs.

Big Ten Conference Championship Drought by School:

School – Drought Length (Year of Championship) – Coach Who Won – Coach Status With the Program

Michigan – 1 year (2023) – Harbaugh – Retired

Ohio State – 4 years (2020) – Day – Active

Penn State – 8 years (2016) – Franklin – Active

Michigan State – 9 years (2015) – Dantonio – Retired

Wisconsin – 12 years (2012) – Bielema – Left

Iowa – 20 years (2004) – Ferentz – Active

Illinois – 23 years (2001) – Turner – Fired

Northwestern – 24 years (2000) – Walker – Deceased

Purdue – 24 years (2000) – Tiller – Retired

Minnesota – 57 years (1967) – Warmuth – Fired

Indiana – 57 years (1967) – Pont – Left

Nebraska – NEVER

Maryland – NEVER

Rutgers – NEVER

[I'm leaving out the newly joined PAC schools]



Here's my research on the longest-tenured CFB coaches, and how they each fair, individually.

Longest Tenured College Football Coaches and The Years Since Their Last Conference Championship:

Coach – School – Tenure – Years Since Last Conference Championship (Year of Championship)

Pat Narduzzi – Pittsburgh – 10 years – 3 years (2021)

Chuck Martin – Miami (OH) – 11 years – 1 year (2023)

Chris Creighton – Eastern Michigan – 11 years - NEVER

Jeff Monken – Army – 11 Years – N/A

K.C. Keeler – Sam Houston State – 11 years – 3 years (2021, WAC)

James Franklin – Penn State – 11 years – 8 years (2016)

Dave Clawson – Wake Forest – 11 years - NEVER

Mark Stoops – Kentucky – 12 years – NEVER

Dave Doeren – NC State – 12 years – NEVER

Dabo Swinney – Clemson – 16 years – 2 years (2022)

Troy Calhoun – Air Force – 18 years – NEVER

Kyle Wittingham – Utah – 20 years – 2 years (2022)

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State – 20 years – 13 years (2011)

Kirk Ferentz – Iowa - 25 years – 20 years (2004)


For reference, here's a random list of some coaches who retired, didn't "go out in top", and how far they were removed from their last conference championship when they finally decided (or were asked) to hang it up:

Coach - Years Since Last Conference Championship at Retirement - Year Last Won Conference Championship

Mark Farley - 13 years - 2011
Craig Bohl - 10 years - NEVER @ Wyoming
Hayden Fry - 8 years - 1990
Joe Tiller - 8 years - 2000
Barry Alvarez - 6 years - 1999
Bill Snyder - 6 years - 2012
Bobby Bowden - 4 years - 2005
Lloyd Carr - 3 years - 2004


Analysis:

This is intended as a counter to Scott Dochterman and his ilk who say that Iowa Fans have no right to be disgruntled. The numbers here speak for themselves.

Iowa Fans aren't frustrated because we don't appreciate any of the Program accomplishments. Many of us are frustrated at the lack of winning the conference. Period.

Iowa has the 6th longest drought among Big Ten Schools, and Kirk has the longest drought among active coaches. I'd venture to guess that many of the coaches at the 11/12 year (or more) mark are firmly on the hot seat, outside of maybe Troy Calhoun at Air Force because it's a military academy (subject to a 2024 retirement/firing).

Bottom line: few coaches make it to year 13 without winning their conference, let alone year 20, before being told "it's time".

Yes, this is an uncomfortable truth, but it's better to confront the uncomfortable truth than to accuse people off being ungrateful and lacking perspective.

Great stuff. You should write to Scotty D and have him rebuttal this on the podcast. He and Chad Leistekow have a great podcast that I listen to each week, but they definitely have an issue with Iowa fans that aren't slobbering over Kirk's success.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

You are part of the delusion. We are Iowa, the midde of no where with zero history to attract top talent. It is the equivalent to being an A's fan and being pissed you can never compete with the dodgers and yankees. The ceiling is 9-11 games with the occasional 12 when literally everything goes their way.

Do you honestly think when Kirk retires tier 1 coaches are going to be lining up to take over? We are forever a developmental program with zero huge donors to pay for 5* talent.

This is who we are, have always been, and always will be. Shut up and enjoy or go root for the bama's of the world.

Iowa > your version of Iowa

 

[Gonzo Bloor]

The Big Ten is a different animal now as compared to when Fry coached. No more winning the Conference per tie breaker.

Hayden had 3 Conference Championships. 81’, 85’ and 90’

2 of the 3 he tied for 1st and got to go to the Rose Bowl per tie breaker. Only in 85’ did he truly win the Conference outright.

His records were 81’- 8-4 (6-2).
85’- 10-2 (7-1). And 90’- 8-4 (6-2).

Twice he went to the Rose Bowl with 2 Conference losses. His outright season had 1 Conference loss.

KF has won a share of the Conference Championship twice, in 2002 and 2004. His records were 02’- 11-2 (8-0) and 04’- 10-2 (7-1). He has better records in his Conference Championships in order to get the 2 shared titles.

He also didn’t get a shared title in 2015 with a perfect regular season record because of the start of the Conference Championship game.

There is a lot of revisionist history here regarding Fry. In reality, he benefited from the old tie breaker rule of “in the event of a conference record tie, the team who hasn’t been to the Rose Bowl the longest gets the Rose Bowl invite.

Those who have the mindset of Conference Championship or bust, are going to be a miserable bunch.

One thing about Fry that isn't revisionist is the fact that he had to turn around a program that hadn't had a winning season in 17 years. He had to transform a program with a losing mindset and culture into one that expected to win. And he did, had Iowa in the Rose Bowl inside of 3 years. When KF came in, sure Iowa had had a few down seasons, but he was handed the keys to a Ferrari compared to what Fry inherited as HC.

 

[kwik44]

I liked our team in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 even without the big time offense. Actually the 2020 team was trucking teams once it got its OLine settled and Campbell and Benson got healthy. I mean trucking teams.

The hawks won a lot of games in those 4 years but I and others saw the chance to win some championships go out the window with the poor offense.

I just hope Kirk gets his all time wins record and decides to hang it up that year or maybe after one more transition year.

I think Levar Woods would be a great successor if we cannot find a Gem outside of the program. Very good player and NFL experience, has soaked up a lot of what it takes to be a head coach, diversity, I have never heard but maybe a deal closer in recruiting.

I went back and looked at Iowa’s 2018 roster, for example. That year was 8-5.

27 players in the NFL for at least one year with many being multiple years.

In game coaching + philosophy is the problem. Marry that with KFs development model, and Iowa can take the next step.

 

[chuck285]

OMG what will happen after Iowa loses to Maryland or Nebraska? Everyone bitching on here will be donating one million dollars each to buy a whole new team Talk is cheap. Ask your wives!!

 

[ToddStrong]

2011-Wisconsin (Leaders)
2012-Wisconsin(Leaders)
2013- Michigan State(Legends)
2014- Ohio State(East)
2015- Michigan State(East)
2016- Penn State(East)
2017-2020 Ohio State(East)
2021-2023- Michigan(East)

See a pattern here? Iowa has made three appearances and only one was close. No divisions means no more path without finishing above the heavyweights.

 

[stanzithemanzi12]

Here's my research on the Iowa conference championship drought and how we compare to other Big Ten Programs.

Big Ten Conference Championship Drought by School:

School – Drought Length (Year of Championship) – Coach Who Won – Coach Status With the Program

Michigan – 1 year (2023) – Harbaugh – Retired

Ohio State – 4 years (2020) – Day – Active

Penn State – 8 years (2016) – Franklin – Active

Michigan State – 9 years (2015) – Dantonio – Retired

Wisconsin – 12 years (2012) – Bielema – Left

Iowa – 20 years (2004) – Ferentz – Active

Illinois – 23 years (2001) – Turner – Fired

Northwestern – 24 years (2000) – Walker – Deceased

Purdue – 24 years (2000) – Tiller – Retired

Minnesota – 57 years (1967) – Warmuth – Fired

Indiana – 57 years (1967) – Pont – Left

Nebraska – NEVER

Maryland – NEVER

Rutgers – NEVER

[I'm leaving out the newly joined PAC schools]



Here's my research on the longest-tenured CFB coaches, and how they each fair, individually.

Longest Tenured College Football Coaches and The Years Since Their Last Conference Championship:

Coach – School – Tenure – Years Since Last Conference Championship (Year of Championship)

Pat Narduzzi – Pittsburgh – 10 years – 3 years (2021)

Chuck Martin – Miami (OH) – 11 years – 1 year (2023)

Chris Creighton – Eastern Michigan – 11 years - NEVER

Jeff Monken – Army – 11 Years – N/A

K.C. Keeler – Sam Houston State – 11 years – 3 years (2021, WAC)

James Franklin – Penn State – 11 years – 8 years (2016)

Dave Clawson – Wake Forest – 11 years - NEVER

Mark Stoops – Kentucky – 12 years – NEVER

Dave Doeren – NC State – 12 years – NEVER

Dabo Swinney – Clemson – 16 years – 2 years (2022)

Troy Calhoun – Air Force – 18 years – NEVER

Kyle Wittingham – Utah – 20 years – 2 years (2022)

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State – 20 years – 13 years (2011)

Kirk Ferentz – Iowa - 25 years – 20 years (2004)


For reference, here's a random list of some coaches who retired, didn't "go out in top", and how far they were removed from their last conference championship when they finally decided (or were asked) to hang it up:

Coach - Years Since Last Conference Championship at Retirement - Year Last Won Conference Championship

Mark Farley - 13 years - 2011
Craig Bohl - 10 years - NEVER @ Wyoming
Hayden Fry - 8 years - 1990
Joe Tiller - 8 years - 2000
Barry Alvarez - 6 years - 1999
Bill Snyder - 6 years - 2012
Bobby Bowden - 4 years - 2005
Lloyd Carr - 3 years - 2004


Analysis:

This is intended as a counter to Scott Dochterman and his ilk who say that Iowa Fans have no right to be disgruntled. The numbers here speak for themselves.

Iowa Fans aren't frustrated because we don't appreciate any of the Program accomplishments. Many of us are frustrated at the lack of winning the conference. Period.

Iowa has the 6th longest drought among Big Ten Schools, and Kirk has the longest drought among active coaches. I'd venture to guess that many of the coaches at the 11/12 year (or more) mark are firmly on the hot seat, outside of maybe Troy Calhoun at Air Force because it's a military academy (subject to a 2024 retirement/firing).

Bottom line: few coaches make it to year 13 without winning their conference, let alone year 20, before being told "it's time".

Yes, this is an uncomfortable truth, but it's better to confront the uncomfortable truth than to accuse people off being ungrateful and lacking perspective.

Shut up

 

[joelbc1]

Iowa > your version of Iowa

Iowa football is a “good” job….not a great job. There are a dozen or so “great” FB jobs in America… and you can look at the schools that win National Championships for a definition of who they are.
UIowa football=Avis Rent-A-Car…and there is nothing wrong with that! However, a fan has to be realistic in assessing the home team!
How much (more $) do YOU expect to spend in making UIowa elite? Because Evil, it starts with YOU the individual fan.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Iowa football is a “good” job….not a great job. There are a dozen or so “great” FB jobs in America… and you can look at the schools that win National Championships for a definition of who they are.
UIowa football=Avis Rent-A-Car…and there is nothing wrong with that! However, a fan has to be realistic in assessing the home team!
How much (more $) do YOU expect to spend in making UIowa elite? Because Evil, it starts with YOU the individual fan.

I'd rather win Iowa a national championship without spending money, which I can do. I'd just need certain legal organizations to look the other way for a short while............................

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Iowa best chance might be to go all in on buying the best offensive line via NIL and ignore the high profile positions.

Try and perfect a run dominated offense.

 

[chuck285]

Probably cheaper to buy officials or politicians!!!

 

[fezzador]

Iowa football is a “good” job….not a great job. There are a dozen or so “great” FB jobs in America… and you can look at the schools that win National Championships for a definition of who they are.
UIowa football=Avis Rent-A-Car…and there is nothing wrong with that! However, a fan has to be realistic in assessing the home team!
How much (more $) do YOU expect to spend in making UIowa elite? Because Evil, it starts with YOU the individual fan.

I've stated this before, but the Iowa fanbase probably ranks among the lowest of all P4 schools in terms of having 'elite' alumni/fans. Lots of upper middle class fans, but exceedingly few with a net worth upwards of eight figures. IIRC, the few Iowa billionaires have ISU connections.