Miller & Deace on Wisconsin Loss, Where Program is Heading

[NCHawker]

pointless? what's the point?

Well we all love Iowa football. We smell something that is south of cheese. We're sniffing..... We're walking around the kitchen trying to find out where its coming from. Even though we are all fans, and not decision makers, its pretty natural to want to troubleshoot and do some root cause analysis. We do this intuitively. Some do it methodically. We just need to know exactly why we're less than delighted.

I rarely cheered this season. 7 wins and very few wonderful moments. By November, I sat down on the couch before the game, and worked hard to manage my expectations and expected the worst and hoped for the best. There was a time when I was recklessly optimistic. Those days are gone. I liked it better when I was excited on Saturdays, When I cheered the whole game...when the product was exciting.

 

[taffaej]

They seem to sum everything up that I have been thinking for the last few years. Although Steve throwing some numbers out really just angered me more knowing that the coaching staff can figure this all out as well and made changes if they wanted too. Although no changes is what I have come to expect from Coach. Very good podcast.

 

[NCHawker]

Kirk says he runs the system that works based on the kind of kids he gets here at Iowa. Indiana is out in the middle of the cornfields just like Iowa, they don't say that.

 

[Caddy]

Excellent podcast. It sucks this program is no longer relevant, and won't be until KF and crew are gone. By the time he is gone the program will be far worse than when he took over. I may be wrong, but I feel KF is just trying to pave the way for Brian now.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Without any context, I can't call it stunning. Across football, the average record against teams who finish over .500 is going to be under .500, its a tautology. How does Iowa rank compared to other teams? Obviously, its not great. But its probably about what you should expect for our overall record in that timespan.

Your laying the framework for an excuse ICHawk24, the results are unacceptable no matter the context..

 

[hwk23]

It's a myth that Iowa has been effective running the ball under KF. 2013 was the 4th best rushing year under KF (in terms of Big Ten rank at 6th) with Weisman as the feature RB. Only the year with Shonn Greene and the 2 years with Fred Russell were better.

Most of our problems come down to the QB position and how we coach and evaluate the position. We are much too risk averse there. Defenses commit all of their resources to stopping our run since we are so conservative passing the ball.

We had much better passing offenses under Hayden Fry. Hayden knew how to coach QBs and they would improve every year, not so under KF. Maybe we need a dedicated QB coach and for KF to stay away.

Bottomline: we will never be better than mediocre with mediocre QB play. It requires way too many good players at other positions. 2009 might be an exception when almost every player on the defense made the NFL, but that's going to be very rare at Iowa.

 

[94HawkMA]

http://hawkeyenation.com/football/miller-deace-discuss-wisconsin-loss

Again, another podcast that didn't start out with a macro direction in mind, but it just went there....such as, Iowa has to be the only program in the sport this year that used a fullback as a lead blocker for a fullback

So, what do you guys want to have happen? If Ferentz gets fired this year, what happens? One way to look at it is the new coach would come in to an easy schedule, so it may be perfect timing. In any case, the near future is not encouraging. With the players Iowa has returning, I think the safe bet next year would be 8-4, again. What's the home crowd going to be like next season? If you want Ferentz to be fired, I think you are hoping they lose to Nebraska and in their bowl game. I think the Hawks could win both of those, which could serve as a springboard to next year and a better than average season. (better than 8-4) I am just very frustrated, like a lot of Hawk fans. We all know they should be better.

 

[JonDMiller]

So, what do you guys want to have happen?

Frankly, it's not really something I am all that interested in writing about. What I want doesn't matter. I don't pay for tickets and I am not about to start telling people what they should not do with their time and dollars.

I am more into laying out data, discussing it and then let people arrive at their own decisions....

With rare exceptions.

 

[Rosebowler]

I may be wrong, but I feel KF is just trying to pave the way for Brian now.

Brian had better hope things start going a little better.

 

[PCHawk]

I used to think AIRBHG just liked hurting iowa runningbacks. Now I know it's more about making iowa have a terrible rushing game. He found a new but equally affective way to make that happen.

 

[Benddontbreak]

Off topic, but take a second to think about Bielema’s recruiting prowess combined with our new facilities. Then imagine the noise that Kinnick would produce when he successfully runs a trick play in a big game. Now snap out of it and watch 45 get stuffed on a slow-developing stretch play.

 

[Thawki]

Frankly, it's not really something I am all that interested in writing about. What I want doesn't matter. I don't pay for tickets and I am not about to start telling people what they should not do with their time and dollars.

I am more into laying out data, discussing it and then let people arrive at their own decisions....

With rare exceptions.

Jon,

I don't want to put words in your mouth. But it sounds to me like from your answer above that you aren't interested in writing about what you want to happen because you aren't interested in chiming in on a disussion about needing to get rid of the head coach. I could be completely wrong, but that is kind fo what I took from that comment.

If that is the case, that's fine. Just because someone thinks something certainly doesn't mean they have to put it out there for public consumption. But that is kind of what I took from your comment.

 

[1hawkeye1]

I hear coaches say all the time that they will do whatever it takes to win. I don't think KF has that mindset. I think he's more like, "I will keep doing what I've been doing until I win."

He's not changing and it's a shame. I too would love to see him go out in a blaze of glory instead of a slow slide into the cellar.

 

[Not4cy]

Frankly, it's not really something I am all that interested in writing about. What I want doesn't matter. I don't pay for tickets and I am not about to start telling people what they should not do with their time and dollars.

I am more into laying out data, discussing it and then let people arrive at their own decisions....

With rare exceptions.

Jon,

It's interesting you post something like this because even though you don't go to the games, you grew up a Hawkeye fan and have been a fan your whole life. And you profit off of the Hawkeyes. When the Hawks win, your wallet also wins. And you win because you are a fan. Don't try to tell me that you enjoy losing like this as evidence by your podcasts this year. You are as frustrated with the results over the past several years just like most of us are. Just because you don't spend money on Hawkeye football, doesn't mean that you don't want a coaching change. There are a lot of fans that don't go to games but are still are very emotionally attached/involved with the program. Yes....I spend quite a bit of money on Hawkeye football every year but even if I didn't I would be advocating a coaching change because I am very much emotionally attached. I don't believe for 1 second that we could have less than a 58% winning percentage with another coach playing a very, very easy schedule every year. We don't pay big dollars to a head coach for average. Virtually any coach in America could have coached Iowa to a 7-5 or 8-4 record this year. Heck, who other than Kirk Ferentz couldn't beat a 2-10 ISU team in Kinnick?

 

[HomerChampless]

Great podcast......going for it on 4th down this year like we have.....was this because we did not have a great kicker or is this a philosopy change out of Kirk? I believe in the podcast it was mentioned we can some evidence of change this year. Would the 4th down situation be a part of this evidence?

It will be curious to see next year if we continue to go for it on 4th down like we did this year.

Kurt is conservative. I'd say going for it so many times on fourth down is because of KF's lack of confidence in the kicker (the hooker) than KF's so called change of demeanor, and KF's obsessive-compulsive nature. You screw up once, you're on the bench. I doubt the Illinois FG miss helped number 1 in KF's eyes. Heck, he's a hooker for crying out loud.

 

[HomerChampless]

"why havn't you attacked all year long"? Easy...they tried - they tried ...they tried 1st 3 games...and again at Maryland. My beef early in the season was that they abandoned the run way too early.. And they did and they went to the pass.


I agree - in the final analysis - its recruiting - Iowa looks good when they can execute the plays...and the problem is that they don't have good enough players to execute well. Its too freeking hard to execute at a high level with MAC level talent.

KF's system is a 2 to 3 star system. Meaning athleticism isn't one of the things demanded of this system. Matter of fact if you're a 'high star' talent looking to improve you're 'high star' ability, you'd better look for a different program than Iowa's because you could be set on the bench for other players that fit more into KF's system. Besides, KF (the dope) thinks his system wins games, not talent. Execution, execution, execution.

 

[hawkphan00]

I was at the game Saturday and I couldn't help but think the Iowa fans deserve better than what we have gotten in recent history with this football program. As many have said several times, we have become an average at best program, but the stadium atmosphere this past Saturday, and other Saturdays I have attended are well above average in comparison to other places I have been. My biggest fear is that apathy will set in, and we won't get Saturdays like November 22 anymore. I have also been to some games that have felt like we are very close to that point.

You sure as hell won't get an opportunity next year either. There won't be a ranked team that comes to Iowa City next year unless it's Minnesota. Think about that our only home opportunity to upset a ranked team will hail from Minnesota. The table was set and Kirk didn't come home for dinner this year. I hope all the season ticket holders step back and look at that home schedule and refrain from hitting the automatic deduct button for season tickets. We aren't good, we don't recurit like we want it, and we sure as heck don't play to win the game. Time for a change and time to do so now, cause he isn't getting younger and we aren't getting better...

 

[Playmaker]

Great podcast Jon! Only thing I disagree with you on is you stating that you are not asking for the removal of KF. While I realize your situation, I get the feeling that you wouldn't lose any sleep over it if he were shown the door. I simply do not understand how KF has "earned the right" to go out on his own terms. What he HAS earned is a staggering $18,000,000.00 since he last had Iowa ranked in the Top 25. And we should allow him to earn another $4,000,000.00 next year when we know with 100% certainty that here will be zero hope of any substantial change??? No thank you. ONLY in Iowa could someone be allowed this much leash, after delivering so little....he is being paid like coaches who are being asked to deliver National Championships, and he can't even deliver a stupid Cy-Hawk trophy. He needs to be gone after our meaningless bowl game...period.

 

[JonDMiller]

Great podcast Jon! Only thing I disagree with you on is you stating that you are not asking for the removal of KF. While I realize your situation, I get the feeling that you wouldn't lose any sleep over it if he were shown the door. I simply do not understand how KF has "earned the right" to go out on his own terms. .

1. What is my situation? I read a lot about that, but I don't think folks really know what they are talking about here I live in Oklahoma. Five years ago when I broke away from Scout and went on my own, I made the decision to turn this site into a direction of being mostly opinion oriented. I've been more critical this year than ever before, which was on the heels of the same last year. I don't think I will be invited to any parties in Iowa City any time soon. What I write and say is not guided by anything other than what I feel like writing and saying...I have no concerns as to whether or not what I write and say is always liked in Iowa City. I'd also add that of anyone who is presently in the Iowa media or has been a part of it in recent years (I'd put myself in the latter category), I've been more critical than anyone...which was not by design, but a byproduct of what we have seen...no contrivances...I will never do that...But as for the situation, what is that, in your opinion?

2. I would not lose any sleep

3. If I said KF has earned the right to go out on his own terms, then I deserve to be kicked. Did I say that? I don't recall saying that because I don't believe in that at all. I have heard others say that, and I disagree with it. Kirk has a contract. If Iowa would choose to end it without cause, Kirk gets paid. If he would choose to resign, I am sure he could negotiate 1 mil per remaining years, easy. He's fine.

 

[Not4cy]

1. What is my situation? I read a lot about that, but I don't think folks really know what they are talking about here I live in Oklahoma. Five years ago when I broke away from Scout and went on my own, I made the decision to turn this site into a direction of being mostly opinion oriented. I've been more critical this year than ever before, which was on the heels of the same last year. I don't think I will be invited to any parties in Iowa City any time soon. What I write and say is not guided by anything other than what I feel like writing and saying...I have no concerns as to whether or not what I write and say is always liked in Iowa City. I'd also add that of anyone who is presently in the Iowa media or has been a part of it in recent years (I'd put myself in the latter category), I've been more critical than anyone...which was not by design, but a byproduct of what we have seen...no contrivances...I will never do that...But as for the situation, what is that, in your opinion?

2. I would not lose any sleep

3. If I said KF has earned the right to go out on his own terms, then I deserve to be kicked. Did I say that? I don't recall saying that because I don't believe in that at all. I have heard others say that, and I disagree with it. Kirk has a contract. If Iowa would choose to end it without cause, Kirk gets paid. If he would choose to resign, I am sure he could negotiate 1 mil per remaining years, easy. He's fine.

If Kirk Ferentz is this Great Guy that everybody says he is (And I do believe Kirk is a great guy), then he will not wait for the University of Iowa to fire him. He will walk away before that day happens and he will not accept a 2.875 million dollar buyout for every year remaining on his contract. He would give it back to the U of I. I would think for a guy that was givin' so much by the University of Iowa and the Hawkeye fan base, that Kirk would have enough honor and integrity to not accept almost $14,000,000 in buyout after this year especially when the University of Iowa has probably paid him upwards of $40 million dollars already. I'm sure Kirk and his family will be very well to do after Kirk quits coaching. If Kirk did accept the entire buyout if and when he is fired, he would lose a lot of respect from a lot of fans and to a certain percentage of the fan base, his legacy would be tarnished by taking that kind of buyout. (By the way, I believe Kirk will be the coach next year and probably beyond)