What's your vibe on Lester?

[ButtersHawk]

He's been great for us obviously. The only thing I'll really pin on him is KJ not getting goalline carries against ISU.

I'd be more than ok with it if he stayed awhile but what vibe do you guys get from him?

-Is he our OC as long as KF is here?
-Do you think he'd be a good candidate if KF retired if it meant he retained some of the defensive staff?
-Do you think he wants another HC shot?

What ya fellas think?

 

[Rustys Dad]

I like what he has done thus far - considering none of these players are his players. I like his creativity. And now with a QB who can actually “run,” that gives TL even more flexibility…. Can’t argue the stats of PPG, 3rd down efficiency …. He’s doing an exceptional job in my mind.

Edit: not ready to say he would be a serious candidate to replace KF… I think he at least rides along in IC until KF leaves … I think he mentioned he would like to be able to settle in a place with family, etc.

 

[desihawk]

he's a good fit for iowa and while he will want another shot at HC someday i think he's going to really enjoy his time as oc at iowa. basically have fun with offense and the players without the serious headaches of being the HC. that's something good about KF, he handles/takes all the heat and lets his guys do their jobs without other complications or blame. that can be very refreshing for a guy like lester for a few years. i don't think he leaves as long as kf is here.

 

[ButtersHawk]

I like what he has done thus far - considering none of these players are his players. I like his creativity. And now with a QB who can actually “run,” that gives TL even more flexibility…. Can’t argue the stats of PPG, 3rd down efficiency …. He’s doing an exceptional job in my mind.

Edit: not ready to say he would be a serious candidate to replace KF… I think he at least rides along in IC until KF leaves … I think he mentioned he would like to be able to settle in a place with family, etc.

I really thought he was overshooting with his "we want to cut those numbers in half" comment to start the year but man he's been legit.

It'll be fun to see what he can do to end the year with hopefully Sullivan.

 

[Rustys Dad]

I really thought he was overshooting with his "we want to cut those numbers in half" comment to start the year but man he's been legit.

It'll be fun to see what he can do to end the year with hopefully Sullivan.

Agree 100! He’s exceeded expectations…. And now with Sullivan - excited to see how he can deepen the playbook a bit more ….

 

[QChawks]

He’s not BF

that’s an upgrade

 

[2D_]

He's been great. He really did cut our numbers in half, and we're actually scoring. He calls some great plays, but lacks the talent for them to work. Hopefully within the next 2 years that will change.

Cheers to him!

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

Helps having a generational RB talent. Whatever changes were made for the running game the OL learned quickly.

The pass protection is still really poor, and we stand a chance to make some plays with Sullivan back there. With Cade we were stuck with having to be perfect on every play.

The next steps are to get better at OL and WR. We need guys who can catch the damn ball.

Next year is going to be rough but still look for a more well rounded offense

Would be even better if Kirk wasn’t around

 

[yrunvs]

Now that Lester has a more suitable fitting QB to run his style of offense I suspect he can now confidently "open the playbook".

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Comparison:

Total offense 2024 avg 356 2023 235 2022 252
First downs/game 2024 18 2023 13 2022 14
Turnovers 2024 .8 2023 1.6 2022 1.3

In 2023 - the Hawks put up 356 yards once against the B1G and ISU. Lester team is averaging that.

I'd say the result have been nothing short of amazing.

 

[Hawkeye Marching Band]

I like what he has done thus far - considering none of these players are his players. I like his creativity. And now with a QB who can actually “run,” that gives TL even more flexibility…. Can’t argue the stats of PPG, 3rd down efficiency …. He’s doing an exceptional job in my mind.

Edit: not ready to say he would be a serious candidate to replace KF… I think he at least rides along in IC until KF leaves … I think he mentioned he would like to be able to settle in a place with family, etc.

Actually, two of the guys are his - Sully and Stratton. Returns are looking good so far.

 

[obfuscating]

I like what he has done thus far - considering none of these players are his players. I like his creativity. And now with a QB who can actually “run,” that gives TL even more flexibility…. Can’t argue the stats of PPG, 3rd down efficiency …. He’s doing an exceptional job in my mind.

Edit: not ready to say he would be a serious candidate to replace KF… I think he at least rides along in IC until KF leaves … I think he mentioned he would like to be able to settle in a place with family, etc.

Agree. He's making phenomenal money as an OC for a team that needed life injected into that side of the ball. Let him get his guys in and let's see if it goes to another level.

He would make a good HC as he has been there and done that, far and away better than BF.

 

[ICWestfan]

I said if he could get Iowa to top 50% in offense that would be acceptable and so far it has been. As mentioned, Iowa needs to upgrade the OL and WR as well as QB.

Right now, Iowa has a "service academy" offense but that's just fine by me. If teams can't stop the run, then run it down their throats but keep them honest with the occasional pass. Keep in mind that goes away once CMcN comes back.

 

[jberesford]

Still too early to tell but he's on the right track. I'll admit I was far from enthused about the hire. And it's a can't possibly get worse situation he came into.

But for the first time in a while I was actually excited to watch an Iowa football game. And man, did they deliver.

Yesterday proved the offense doesn't have to put up gaudy numbers to be successful AND fun to watch. It just has been functional and actually move the ball. It's been a REALLY long time since that happened. So keep doing that and I can get behind him for a while. Next year and beyond he needs to field an offense that can at least compete with OSU, PSU, and Oregon.

 

[DewHawk]

He's been great for us obviously. The only thing I'll really pin on him is KJ not getting goalline carries against ISU.

I'd be more than ok with it if he stayed awhile but what vibe do you guys get from him?

-Is he our OC as long as KF is here?
-Do you think he'd be a good candidate if KF retired if it meant he retained some of the defensive staff?
-Do you think he wants another HC shot?

What ya fellas think?

I think he will leave next year due to Ferentz messing with offense/QB if he can find a lucrative job.

 

[uihawk82]

He's been great for us obviously. The only thing I'll really pin on him is KJ not getting goalline carries against ISU.

I'd be more than ok with it if he stayed awhile but what vibe do you guys get from him?

-Is he our OC as long as KF is here?
-Do you think he'd be a good candidate if KF retired if it meant he retained some of the defensive staff?
-Do you think he wants another HC shot?

What ya fellas think?

I agree with a lot of the comments, most of them, in this thread. Isn't Lester making about $1 million a year? Someone said they wanted to settle down in an area for awhile. All that is really good for Lester.

But he has been a head coach once before and if a $5 million a year head coaching job is offered to him that is hard to turn down. A total $25 million contract is big time money but can bring headaches. Five years at his current salary plus what he has already banked is damn good also.

As they said about Chip Kelly leaving UCLA after many other head coaching jobs, he missed working with players on just offense. Maybe the year Lester had with the Packers is like a signal to him that he likes coordinating more than head coaching.

Plus if he turns Iowa into a top 50 offense or better by end of year 3 then he might get a bigger time OC contract

 

[Muscles1989]

It’s been better to start the year and the last few weeks it’s been turned up since he’s not been handcuffed with a crippled qb.

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

He's obviously an upgrade from what Iowa hd, but that's not saying much. I definitely think he's overachieved from what I expected. His offense obviously works better with a guy like Sully that can improvise and run. I'm sure he wants another shot at being a HC, but he would not be in my top five for Iowa.

 

[Hans81]

I said if he could get Iowa to top 50% in offense that would be acceptable and so far it has been. As mentioned, Iowa needs to upgrade the OL and WR as well as QB.

Right now, Iowa has a "service academy" offense but that's just fine by me. If teams can't stop the run, then run it down their throats but keep them honest with the occasional pass. Keep in mind that goes away once CMcN comes back.

lol…C. McN is not coming back into the offense…unless there is an injury.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

We’d be 8-1 now if Lester were given full control of the offense, especially QB1.

Although his trying to be too cute in goal-to-go situations (ISU 1st half, Wisky 2nd half) has driven me nuts, I’m quite pleased to have a qualified and competent adult for our OC.

 

[denmar81]

Don’t like Sullivan not under center on goal line plays. Wish he’d go downfield more on 2nd and short. Definitely an upgrade though.

 

[Old Uncle Teddy]

I think he will leave next year due to Ferentz messing with offense/QB if he can find a lucrative job.

Give it up.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Should be a Broyles finalist because nobody is talking about our offense being hot garbage anymore.

 

[Mountain Man Hawk]

I wasn’t that thrilled with the hire but now I’ll be disappointed if he leaves.

The problem is, a resume that says you in one year turned Iowa from a historically bad offense to among the league leaders, means you are probably going to be a candidate for other opportunities sooner rather than later.

 

[herkhatescy]

He's been great for us obviously. The only thing I'll really pin on him is KJ not getting goalline carries against ISU.

I'd be more than ok with it if he stayed awhile but what vibe do you guys get from him?

-Is he our OC as long as KF is here?
-Do you think he'd be a good candidate if KF retired if it meant he retained some of the defensive staff?
-Do you think he wants another HC shot?

What ya fellas think?

I hope Iowa keeps him around after KF leaves. Either as OC or head coach.

 

[AEG82]

I really like him.

 

[herkhatescy]

Actually, two of the guys are his - Sully and Stratton. Returns are looking good so far.

And Gill.

 

[retrodent]

Still too early to tell but he's on the right track. I'll admit I was far from enthused about the hire. And it's a can't possibly get worse situation he came into.

But for the first time in a while I was actually excited to watch an Iowa football game. And man, did they deliver.

Yesterday proved the offense doesn't have to put up gaudy numbers to be successful AND fun to watch. It just has been functional and actually move the ball. It's been a REALLY long time since that happened. So keep doing that and I can get behind him for a while. Next year and beyond he needs to field an offense that can at least compete with OSU, PSU, and Oregon.

Only if you pony up nil money that those three have. Do not be delusional

 

[thunderstruck1]

Helps having a generational RB talent. Whatever changes were made for the running game the OL learned quickly.

The pass protection is still really poor, and we stand a chance to make some plays with Sullivan back there. With Cade we were stuck with having to be perfect on every play.

The next steps are to get better at OL and WR. We need guys who can catch the damn ball.

Next year is going to be rough but still look for a more well rounded offense

Would be even better if Kirk wasn’t around

I think we have some talented young wr's. We could use a few more for sure. The big question is can the OL raise the bar next year. Our pass protection sucks. As for the vibe of Lester, I think he is the real deal. I think he is going to enjoy showing all the other power 5 teams that he never got a fair shake at this level. A couple years here and there was all he got. He has to be excited to get some more of his guys in the future. Plus he said he wants to stay in one place so his kids can go to school in one place. Being a OC or DC at Iowa is a pretty good gig. As for who is the next head coach? I would like to see Levar get some serious thought. Not saying it should be him, but I am saying he should be seriously considered. The man is well spoken and is probably the best special teams coach in the country. He is about the perfect age for the gig too. I think if he is capable of setting the bar (and hitting it) on special teams, he is going to demand the same attention to detail and excellence from the whole team if he were head coach. Also I have heard guys he recruited say he is pretty darn good at bonding with players and recruiting. I think he did an interview with the VandeBerg's, if you have not seen it or want to know a little bit more about him, it is a good interview.

 

[HawkLogic]

I like what he has done thus far - considering none of these players are his players. I like his creativity. And now with a QB who can actually “run,” that gives TL even more flexibility…. Can’t argue the stats of PPG, 3rd down efficiency …. He’s doing an exceptional job in my mind.

Edit: not ready to say he would be a serious candidate to replace KF… I think he at least rides along in IC until KF leaves … I think he mentioned he would like to be able to settle in a place with family, etc.

I agree that Lester looks like a great fit to take over Iowa....but KF's contract is like 7 more years....I doubt KF is going to step aside any time soon and I doubt Lester waits it out as OC.

When you make this substantial a turn around, the big boys and NFL comes poaching. Example would be what Smith did at Oregon State and then Michigan State poached him. Smith was ex Oregon state player and OSU really went out and gave him a huge break, but money and opportunity talks.



Maybe Lester is a 1 hit wonder, but if he's around another year with comparable results, he's gone. He looks like Head coach material,not OC at college level. Maybe he'd take OC job at NFL level. . Everyone knows how chitty Iowa offenses were under BF/KF, Lester is the obvious reason for the turn around.

 

[SolarHawk]

Only if you pony up nil money that those three have. Do not be delusional

Indiana may destroy your assessment if they beat OSU, or at least hang with them.

 

[jdv77]

At age 46, he is young enough that I expect he will want another shot at being a head coach.
With the success of Cignetti this year, I expect that the popular choices this coaching carousel will be coaches who have dominated at the FCS level. So I hope that we have him for another couple of years, and I sort of think that we will because (1) I think that he will be choosy about where he goes and (2) this season's statistics are really good for the rushing game but not spectacular in the passing game.

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

Great hire! Green Bay produces nothing but winners...

 

[BonzoFury]

He's been great for us obviously. The only thing I'll really pin on him is KJ not getting goalline carries against ISU.

I'd be more than ok with it if he stayed awhile but what vibe do you guys get from him?

-Is he our OC as long as KF is here?
-Do you think he'd be a good candidate if KF retired if it meant he retained some of the defensive staff?
-Do you think he wants another HC shot?

What ya fellas think?

Yep. I also like his demeanor...really handles himself well in interviews. He exudes a quiet confidence...the guy knows his craft. Hopefully he's winning over the assistants as well so they will stay if KFz decides to step down in a year or two (please). It could get tricky as Seth Wallace may be angling for the job too.

 

[SolarHawk]

Great hire! Green Bay produces nothing but winners...

I guess we’re gonna ignore the 70’s, 80’s and half of the 90’s then?

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

He's been great for us obviously. The only thing I'll really pin on him is KJ not getting goalline carries against ISU.

I'd be more than ok with it if he stayed awhile but what vibe do you guys get from him?

-Is he our OC as long as KF is here?
-Do you think he'd be a good candidate if KF retired if it meant he retained some of the defensive staff?
-Do you think he wants another HC shot?

What ya fellas think?

He’s competent.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

At age 46, he is young enough that I expect he will want another shot at being a head coach.
With the success of Cignetti this year, I expect that the popular choices this coaching carousel will be coaches who have dominated at the FCS level. So I hope that we have him for another couple of years, and I sort of think that we will because (1) I think that he will be choosy about where he goes and (2) this season's statistics are really good for the rushing game but not spectacular in the passing game.

I think he'll be here 2 years tops. I agree he has ambition to be a HC again and 2 years will be enough to re-prove himself. He'll end up taking one of the better MAC jobs (one vacated by a coach that got hired away by a P4 team, not one that was fired) or maybe try to rebuild an AAC program.

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

Shanahan coaching tree.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

It’s amazing what a mobile QB can do for an offense.

Makes everyone and everything look better.

 

[thunderstruck1]

You guys really think a guy who has bounced around and stated he wants to raise his kids in one place, is going to give up an OC job that pays pretty well and will probably pay even more if he continues to improve the offense to risk that stability and go somewhere else where just like before in his career, he might get bounced in a couple years? Uprooting his family once again to take another position and then again in a couple years if that position does not work out. Especially when his own al-ma mater showed him less loyalty then Iowa will if he continues to improve the offense? Maybe I am just old, but money is not everything, enjoying what you do is invaluable, just ask Phil Parker or any other of our coaches that had opportunities to leave.