The Daily Iowan -opinion

[BrotherHawkeye]

Kirk's overall tenure of success is the material equivalent (one could certainly argue that Kirk's tenure has been a bit more successful) to Hayden Fry's tenure. As Fry's tenure approached its end, Iowa's recruiting was horrendous and non-competitive. If anything, Iowa's recent recruiting has been getting better over the past few years. Thus, I agree with you in that - from a talent perspective - it's certainly not getting ugly. The big problem Kirk faces is the B1G has now evolved into a deeper conference and NIL will make it incredibly difficult for Iowa (and many other B1G teams) to crack the top 4 B1G teams on anything resembling a regular basis.

Would that make the end of his tenure "ugly?" Not in my eyes.

It is complicated. As you note, it’s not per se a coaching issue, as there are systemic issues that a new coach will face as well, i.e., a new coach isn’t going to cure those issues for Iowa. Again, not a reason to not start looking for/planning for the day Kirk leaves, but these will be the same challenges for the next coach. And I dare say - it could get worse for the new coach as the spread between programs having the money to buy players will continue to grow. (This part could all end if the NCAA took some affirmative action and created some type of controls over this, but I'm not holding my breath on that happening).

I will also note that as Kirk's tenure ends, coaches will negatively recruit against Iowa. The truth is that Kirk is still a draw for recruits to Iowa. Coaches are probably already telling recruits that you have no idea who the coach is going to be, so why take the risk. Maybe that's less of an impact given the transfer portal, but I do think it had something to do with the drop off in talent at the end of Hayden's time at Iowa. There are many benefits to a long-term coach, but this is a risk with a long term coach. This could happen again.

This thread certainly tees up some interesting and relevant topics for Iowa football.

 

[hawkandroll]

I'm not old enough to remember, but was this the sentiment towards the end of Hayden's era? From everything I've read, it seems he overstayed and left the cupboards bare, but what was the consensus opinion at the time?

 

[gojojo]

I'm not old enough to remember, but was this the sentiment towards the end of Hayden's era? From everything I've read, it seems he overstayed and left the cupboards bare, but what was the consensus opinion at the time?

Had social media and message boards been a thing in 1993 they would have been filled with the same chatter we see now about KF.

While the 90's started great, things went downhill fast in 92 with only a few bright spots in his final 7 years, a great Sun Bowl win and shutout at The Alamo Bowl. There was a lot of excitement going into 97, but that team was as disappointing as the 2010 team.

JHF went 66-49-1 over his last 10 years (56.8%), where KF is 88-40 from 2014-2023 (68.75%).

As frustrating as Iowa has looked at times the last few years, it's nowhere near what we saw after the 91 season.

 

[BonzoFury]

I'm not old enough to remember, but was this the sentiment towards the end of Hayden's era? From everything I've read, it seems he overstayed and left the cupboards bare, but what was the consensus opinion at the time?

Hayden had a 3 year dip in the early 90s and was getting plenty of criticism. He bounced back with 8-4, 9-3 seasons (the equivalent of 9-4 & 10-3 today) so that took some of the pressure off. The 7-5 campaign of 1997 things started to sag again and his final year definitely had a feeling of "this is it". The program had clearly lost a spark. Who knows how much his cancer battle played into that but it certainly had to.

He probably didn't get more heat as he was still the guy who brought Iowa football back from the dead. 3 Rose Bowls in 10 years buys you a lot of good will. The roster was down on talent and his last year was his worst at 3-8. But Hayden left the program in a much better place than he found it.

I think KFz has similar good will built up but the Brian thing has chipped away at some of that. That and his perceived stubbornness to embrace a more dynamic offense. Social media doesn't help as those things constantly have a light shined on them...fair or not.

FYI, Hayden retired just short of his 69th birthday. Kirk is 69 right now.

 

[BonzoFury]

Had social media and message boards been a thing in 1993 they would have been filled with the same chatter we see now about KF.

While the 90's started great, things went downhill fast in 92 with only a few bright spots in his final 7 years, a great Sun Bowl win and shutout at The Alamo Bowl. There was a lot of excitement going into 97, but that team was as disappointing as the 2010 team.

JHF went 66-49-1 over his last 10 years (56.8%), where KF is 88-40 from 2014-2023 (68.75%).

As frustrating as Iowa has looked at times the last few years, it's nowhere near what we saw after the 91 season.

Expectations play a role too. Iowa fans watching Hayden's 90s teams remembered the dark years so they were a bit more forgiving. With a Rose Bowl every 5 years, some probably hoped for one more shot at Pasadena that never came. ('97) Back to back losses a tOSU and Michigan (tough schedule) killed that dream.

 

[hawkjt]

IU has not played a single ranked team. Let's see how they do vs OSU next week before we crown their coach.
We went 10-2 last season. Kid has a short memory.

 

[BonzoFury]

IU has not played a single ranked team. Let's see how they do vs OSU next week before we crown their coach.
We went 10-2 last season. Kid has a short memory.

10-4. They all count.

Who knows how good Indiana really is? tOSU has lost 2 home games in 10 years. (Oklahoma and Oregon). If Indiana loses in The Shoe it won't be a bug "See, I told you so". Very few teams go into Columbus and come out with a win.

 

[AEG82]

It's an opinion, and everyone can have one.

Not to Ladell or Eyes. Nobody is allowed to have an opinion that strays from theirs. They're so determined that they go onto a free sports site, for their own team no less, with peers of their own team, and challenge majority opinion despite it being absolutely obvious otherwise to almost every one of their own brethren. I think it's the exact definition of a troll honestly.

It's an interesting mindset honestly. They're so wide ranging spectrum-wise. If you disagree with them, you're an idiot or a moron.

If you agree however, you're a logical person with an understanding of football that few can comprehend, in other words, you're a genius. Yet, they worship KF oddly enough.

This is the kind forward thinking America needs...

 

[Bow.to.the.Narrative]

Expectations play a role too. Iowa fans watching Hayden's 90s teams remembered the dark years so they were a bit more forgiving. With a Rose Bowl every 5 years, some probably hoped for one more shot at Pasadena that never came. ('97) Back to back losses a tOSU and Michigan (tough schedule) killed that dream.

The '97 team was a massive disappointment and I think most of us knew then that the end was near.

 

[1inamillion]

"Enough is enough.

The University of Iowa is a school that prides itself on its football team. As of late, there hasn’t been much to be proud of.

The script has been the same for the past several years: get a winning record, play in a bowl game, and that’s it. That simply isn’t going to cut it anymore"

Opinion | It’s time for Iowa football to change

Enough is enough. The University of Iowa is a school that prides itself on its football team. As of late, there hasn’t been much to be proud of. The script has been the same for the past several years: get a winning record, play in a bowl game, and that’s it. That simply isn’t going...

dailyiowan.com

Lol

 

[GunnerHawk]

The post I replied to said the writer needs to grow up. It's a college paper opinion article. Who cares?

Exactly, Iowa is a top twenty team the past ten years. That young man is just trying to stir the pot. I have had season tickets before that reporter was born. I have dropped alot of coin to support the Hawks and will for as long as Kirk is the coach. After he retires, so will we.

 

[BonzoFury]

Exactly, Iowa is a top twenty team the past ten years. That young man is just trying to stir the pot. I have had season tickets before that reporter was born. I have dropped alot of coin to support the Hawks and will for as long as Kirk is the coach. After he retires, so will we.

I could give a shit about his opinion...but that was about as superficial and shallow a piece as you'll ever read. How did the DI editor sign off on that? Nothing...nothing of substance in it. Right in line with some of the man-on-the-street campus interview clips I've seen.

"I'm against -----".
Why?
"It's just really bad".
Can you give me an example of why?
"It just really is".

 

[Beattheohiostate]

You should have went into politics if you wanted to make a difference.

Did you vote on every single ballot this month? If not, you aren't concerned with trying to contribute to what you feel is positive change. You are concerned with crying like a little baby until your desitin comes.

All the bitching and moaning damn right is fruitless. Matter of fact, it's destructive. You are a destructive and divisive force in the community.

You honestly think Beth would ever force KF out before '29? You live in a dream world.

He's not going anywhere. Stop spreading negativity in the community. Not only does it make our community, as fans, toxic, and less enjoyable. But the team you root for feels it too and I can promise you it does nothing to help them. Quite possibly it hurts them.

So if you want your team have the best chance of being successful, shut up, for your own selfish reasons. Or maybe even entertain actually being supportive of the team.

If you want Iowa to be so bad that, in your eyes, they would make a change, then grow the f up.

It was obvious who Iowa was 20 years ago. Why would you expect them to be something different? KF's job is simply to win. He's not going around asking fans how they would like his team to play. Guess what, if he did, he would get a variety of answers. So what makes your taste so special? It isn't.

So thankfully, KF has focused on nothing but trying to win. He's done that at a very respectable and amazingly consistent level. So if that isn't good enough for you, get lost, or find another team. KF won't be seeking your input at any time

That was hilarious. Keep up the good work.

 

[gojojo]

I could give a shit about his opinion...but that was about as superficial and shallow a piece as you'll ever read. How did the DI editor sign off on that? Nothing...nothing of substance in it. Right in line with some of the man-on-the-street campus interview clips I've seen.

"I'm against -----".
Why?
"It's just really bad".
Can you give me an example of why?
"It just really is".

I don't really care what opinion a person has, he's free to feel any way about KF and staff just like anyone here, but his piece read like it was written by a fr/soph in HS. There is nothing new, interesting, or substantial in his writing.

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

Wow, they are embarrassing themselves. I guess ignorance is bliss. We have a great coach in Kirk Ferentz and anyone calling for his job is beyond stupid. People who expect Iowa to become a blue blood are in denial about the world the Hawkeyes live and compete in. The writer of that article needs to grow up.

Kirk Ferentz lit on fire 20+ years of goodwill by letting his inept son run the offense into the ground en route to making the program a national laughingstock for its offensive futility. A program loaded with NFL defenders and a cakewalk schedule produced a music city Bowl trophy and the leagues worst offense in modern history. Iowa is lucky to have this man—only a fool would not see that we would be pissing in the wind without his leadership.

 

[BonzoFury]

That was hilarious. Keep up the good work.

and I'm sorry but I have to say it.

you should have GONE into politics...not "went". Fingernails on blackboard.

 

[radicalhawk]

I don't really care what opinion a person has, he's free to feel any way about KF and staff just like anyone here, but his piece read like it was written by a fr/soph in HS. There is nothing new, interesting, or substantial in his writing.

What you just described are a lot of posts on this forum, "nothing new, interesting, or substantial in his writing". He's probably twenty years old. At his young age, he has seen or learned enough about Iowa football. He wants a winner. He's not a Ferentz enabler. A quote from GunnerHawk: "I have dropped a lot of coin to support the Hawks and will for as long as Kirk is the coach. After he retires, so will we". Yes, there are a lot of Hawk fans that would gladly follow Ferentz into the 2030's if Ferentz was given a new contract. The new generation of Hawk fans don't want to sit around for decades and wait for a CFP or conference championship.

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

What you just described are a lot of posts on this forum, "nothing new, interesting, or substantial in his writing". He's probably twenty years old. At his young age, he has seen or learned enough about Iowa football. He wants a winner. He's not a Ferentz enabler. A quote from GunnerHawk: "I have dropped a lot of coin to support the Hawks and will for as long as Kirk is the coach. After he retires, so will we". Yes, there are a lot of Hawk fans that would gladly follow Ferentz into the 2030's if Ferentz was given a new contract. The new generation of Hawk fans don't want to sit around for decades and wait for a CFP or conference championship.

But haven’t you heard that Iowa once had a terrible football program and if Kirk Ferentz isn’t allowed to field godawful offenses, Iowa might just be bad again?

 

[rfgiowa]

IU has not played a single ranked team. Let's see how they do vs OSU next week before we crown their coach.
We went 10-2 last season. Kid has a short memory.

10-4...with embarrassing losses. Let's not cherry pick.

 

[BonzoFury]

10-4...with embarrassing losses. Let's not cherry pick.

Exactly. Who has the short memory?

 

[Bow.to.the.Narrative]

Exactly, Iowa is a top twenty team the past ten years. That young man is just trying to stir the pot. I have had season tickets before that reporter was born. I have dropped alot of coin to support the Hawks and will for as long as Kirk is the coach. After he retires, so will we.

You will retire from being a lifelong fan of a team because a certain coach ages out?

 

[AEG82]

You will retire from being a lifelong fan of a team because a certain coach ages out?

This is the same guy who believed Haitians were actually eating animals on the streets of Ohio. Reactionaries say things like this. He doesn't really mean it. Just being stubborn trying to prove a point to elicit a response.

Now get off his lawn!!!

 

[BonzoFury]

This is the same guy who believed Haitians were actually eating animals on the streets of Ohio. Reactionaries say things like this. He doesn't really mean it. Just being stubborn trying to prove a point to elicit a response.

Yep. Kind of like the people saying "I'm moving out of the country if...."

 

[AEG82]

Yep. Kind of like the people saying "I'm moving out of the country if...."

Exactly like that.

 

[TXHCHawk]

I could give a shit about his opinion...but that was about as superficial and shallow a piece as you'll ever read. How did the DI editor sign off on that? Nothing...nothing of substance in it. Right in line with some of the man-on-the-street campus interview clips I've seen.

"I'm against -----".
Why?
"It's just really bad".
Can you give me an example of why?
"It just really is".

I agree. It’s a short-sided take. Maybe the editorial board knew there was demand for this discussion and nobody in sports media was taking it on. 🤷🏻‍♂️

No better way to get folks talking than to invoke a provocative take, and this is truly a hot take. Additionally, it is an opinion piece, in the University newspaper, so goodwill at the program pressers probably are unaffected. Regardless, this type of topic deserves more than the article author’s parochial approach.

Well, it obviously generated more discussion, and the DI’s readers would gain better insights from the discussion on this thread.

 

[Heathen Raider]

People using the flavor of the year (Indiana) to justify rash decisions ignore the much more obvious and probable outcomes (Nebraska, Wiscy, etc). Hell, Purdue was the hot take not long ago. This dude’s beer money wont go far in the buyout department either. Reality bites. Better guard the NK statue though if things get testy—gimmee, gimmee, gimmee virtue lovers thrive at tearing down statues during tantrums.

Unless Iowa has become even more soy and estrogen filled than what I remember if anyone in sight of any Hawk fan tried to deface or destroy the NK statue they would get the beating of a lifetime and whoever stopped the statue vandal would get keys to the city , If that isn't the case then I would suggest Iowans find their testicles they set on a shelf or gave to their 300 lb blue haired wildebeest in the name of social justice

 

[kceasthawk]

I really hope he decides to walk away before it gets ugly…for every bodies sake. You would think if anybody knows his plan it has to be Beth. Hopefully they have that discussion at year end no matter how things finish out.

"Before it gets ugly" Man I don't want to be on here if its gets a lot worse.....

 

[icwesthawk]

This is the same guy who believed Haitians were actually eating animals on the streets of Ohio.

Check on the geese and ducks

 

[kceasthawk]

Citing IU as the shining example to dispatch Ferentz is probably misplaced. The author fails to cite to IU's history of coaching changes and how that has worked out . . . until this year.

I'm certainly not advocating the time has come for Ferentz to be kept on or to be terminated. I can make strong arguments either way. My criticism is "cherry picking" one situation (and most likely an outlier situation) and pretending that will happen with Iowa football is grossly misleading.

Hell . . . one need only look at what is going on in Madison. Remember when hiring Luke Fickell was considered a "home run" hire? That home run hire has coached the Badgers to two losses to Ferentz's Hawkeyes.

As usual your posts are factual, and well stated..

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

Citing IU as the shining example to dispatch Ferentz is probably misplaced. The author fails to cite to IU's history of coaching changes and how that has worked out . . . until this year.

I'm certainly not advocating the time has come for Ferentz to be kept on or to be terminated. I can make strong arguments either way. My criticism is "cherry picking" one situation (and most likely an outlier situation) and pretending that will happen with Iowa football is grossly misleading.

Hell . . . one need only look at what is going on in Madison. Remember when hiring Luke Fickell was considered a "home run" hire? That home run hire has coached the Badgers to two losses to Ferentz's Hawkeyes.

Citing IU as an example is fine. Nobody is saying they’re a better program, or Indiana is passing Iowa. But take a look at their offense and then take a look at what Kirk Ferentz has ever done on that side of the ball. He’s an abject failure there and has been most of his tenure.

He’s a coach that fields mediocre to good teams and in 25 years, has put together 3 magical seasons, 2 of which culminated with embarrassing losses in major bowls. He hasn’t won anything of significance since Obama’s first term. People around here like to think he is elite because his peers respect him.

 

[GarryO37]

My criticism is "cherry picking" one situation (and most likely an outlier situation) and pretending that will happen with Iowa football is grossly misleading.

Hell . . . one need only look at what is going on in Madison. Remember when hiring Luke Fickell was considered a "home run" hire? That home run hire has coached the Badgers to two losses to Ferentz's Hawkeyes.

It’s literally no different than old Iowa fans cherry picking and mentioning the 60’s and 70’s as a reason not to make a change. You’re also cherry picking Wisconsin.

Even with you cherry picking, Wisconsin was fine after Barry. They were fine after Bret and Gary. They went on to have success for almost two decades after Barry Alvarez. They went through a series of coaches and were successful. Fickell also still has a winning record.

Pretending like that wouldn’t happen with Iowa football or that Iowa will have decades of losing seasons after Ferentz is just insane. Iowa football was just fine after Hayden and will be just fine after Ferentz.

 

[paednoch23]

The debate of whether he should go is silly. KFz is going to be gone soon... whether it's 14 months from now or 5 years. It's just a matter of when. A fair question if...what's the advantage to having some control over the timeline?

Isn't it obvious to anyone that this football program is not gonna stay above average? Terrible recruiting and outdated schemes are going to drive this program into the ground.

 

[intrepodor]

I really hope he decides to walk away before it gets ugly…for every bodies sake. You would think if anybody knows his plan it has to be Beth. Hopefully they have that discussion at year end no matter how things finish out.

In Beth I trust.

 

[AEG82]

Isn't it obvious to anyone that this football program is not gonna stay above average? Terrible recruiting and outdated schemes are going to drive this program into the ground.

Obvious is relative.

 

[GunnerHawk]

You will retire from being a lifelong fan of a team because a certain coach ages out?

I will always be a Hawk fan but this is year 39 for season tickets. We live 9 hours from Iowa City, so the drives are starting to wear on us.

 

[uihawk82]

"Enough is enough.

The University of Iowa is a school that prides itself on its football team. As of late, there hasn’t been much to be proud of.

The script has been the same for the past several years: get a winning record, play in a bowl game, and that’s it. That simply isn’t going to cut it anymore"

Opinion | It’s time for Iowa football to change

Enough is enough. The University of Iowa is a school that prides itself on its football team. As of late, there hasn’t been much to be proud of. The script has been the same for the past several years: get a winning record, play in a bowl game, and that’s it. That simply isn’t going...

dailyiowan.com

The reporter makes a point about how the 2021 team schedule ended. Of course we sort of know that 2021 season was smoke and mirrors with the great defense and special teams. And even the win vs penn st was set up by and injury to PSU qb clifford as psu had that game in hand early.

The hawks will move on soon. I expect Kirk back next year to get the all time Big 10 victories record if he cant get it done this year, not sure where he stands on that. But they should win at least 6 games next year.

Maybe that is time when Kirk will move on. or in 2026, talk him into retiring and leaving his left over contract money with the program for buying players, I mean spending NIL money to the players

 

[Bow.to.the.Narrative]

talk him into retiring and leaving his left over contract money with the program for buying players

All the bad feelings he built up with Brian would be forgiven if that happened. He'd never do it, though.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

You should have went into politics if you wanted to make a difference.

Did you vote on every single ballot this month? If not, you aren't concerned with trying to contribute to what you feel is positive change. You are concerned with crying like a little baby until your desitin comes.

All the bitching and moaning damn right is fruitless. Matter of fact, it's destructive. You are a destructive and divisive force in the community.

You honestly think Beth would ever force KF out before '29? You live in a dream world.

He's not going anywhere. Stop spreading negativity in the community. Not only does it make our community, as fans, toxic, and less enjoyable. But the team you root for feels it too and I can promise you it does nothing to help them. Quite possibly it hurts them.

So if you want your team have the best chance of being successful, shut up, for your own selfish reasons. Or maybe even entertain actually being supportive of the team.

If you want Iowa to be so bad that, in your eyes, they would make a change, then grow the f up.

It was obvious who Iowa was 20 years ago. Why would you expect them to be something different? KF's job is simply to win. He's not going around asking fans how they would like his team to play. Guess what, if he did, he would get a variety of answers. So what makes your taste so special? It isn't.

So thankfully, KF has focused on nothing but trying to win. He's done that at a very respectable and amazingly consistent level. So if that isn't good enough for you, get lost, or find another team. KF won't be seeking your input at any time

Jesus Christ.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

I'm not old enough to remember, but was this the sentiment towards the end of Hayden's era? From everything I've read, it seems he overstayed and left the cupboards bare, but what was the consensus opinion at the time?

Had there been social media and message boards back then, absolutely. Many Iowa fans complained Hayden got old and too conservative. 1997 was a waste and should have been a stellar year.

 

[AuroraHawk]

It’s literally no different than old Iowa fans cherry picking and mentioning the 60’s and 70’s as a reason not to make a change. You’re also cherry picking Wisconsin.

Even with you cherry picking, Wisconsin was fine after Barry. They were fine after Bret and Gary. They went on to have success for almost two decades after Barry Alvarez. They went through a series of coaches and were successful. Fickell also still has a winning record.

Pretending like that wouldn’t happen with Iowa football or that Iowa will have decades of losing seasons after Ferentz is just insane. Iowa football was just fine after Hayden and will be just fine after Ferentz.

Cherry picking Wisconsin? C'mon man . . .
How about Brian Kelly at LSU?
Lincoln Riley at USC?
Scott Frost at Nebraska?
Mike Riley at Nebraska?
Charlie Wieś at Notre Damę?
Charlie Strong at Texas?
Les Miles at Kansas?


A significant number of posters are suggesting Ferentz should move on because Iowa is mired in 8-4 seasons and the university and its fans should demand more from the program.

Citing the situation at IU as to why Iowa should make a move is fantastical. Could it happen? Sure. We're seeing it this year in Bloomington so of course it is possible. But anyone who knows/follows college football fully understands that the '24 season in Bloomington is an anomaly in the annals of college football. An absolute anomaly. Citing to an anomaly as a basis for why to make a move is folly.

Keep in mind, the posters aren't calling for Ferentz to move on so that Iowa can continue logging 8-4 years. They're calling for him to leave so that the program will improve. That means 9-3, 10-2 records on a regular basis.

If that is what must be achieved for the new head coach to stick around, there is going to be a turnstile of coaches going through the Iowa football building.