In Kirk We (Used to) Trust

[JonDMiller]

(HawkeyeNation.com welcomes Ross Peterson of KXNO Sports Fanatics to the HN.com team. Ross will provide weekly commentaries on the Hawkeyes and joins our growing team of contributors including David Schwartz, Mitch Smith, Sean Neugent and Founder/Publisher Jon Miller. You can listen to Ross each weekday along with Chris Williams from 4 to 6pm on The KXNO Sports Fanatics on 1460 KXNO and follow him on twitter@RossPeterson_ )
Let’s go back.
Let’s go back to a time when ‘The Coach’ in this state everybody was afraid of losing was Kirk Ferentz.
It was kind of nice wasn’t it? Knowing that ‘our guy’ was coveted by the next level. I remember interviewing Gary Barta right after he was hired as Athletic Director in August of 2006. In fact, I was the first employee of WHO Radio to get a one on one with Mr. Barta. I was doing a weekend show at the Iowa State Fair in 2006. I got a phone call from my boss, Van Harden, and he said the University was going to be bringing their new Athletic Director to the Crystal Studios at the Fairgrounds for an interview.
I was ready. In fact, this was going to be easy! There was ONE thing to ask Gary Barta, one thing EVERY Hawkeye fan wanted to know at the time; “What are you going to do to keep Kirk Ferentz from going to the NFL?â€
Kirk Ferentz was HOT. I mean, “2015 Fred Hoiberg-Hotâ€!
At that time, rumors had been floating about Ferentz possibly taking over the newly opened Pittsburgh Steelers job. Ferentz had led the Hawkeyes to double-digit win totals in three of the previous four years. The 2005 season was also the fourth-straight January Bowl game for the program, and Ferentz was growing his already healthy reputation as one of the best coaches in the country at preparing his players for the NFL.
In reality, I was just a 20-something kid at the time, scared out of my mind, out of my league, pretending to do a radio show.
Gary Barta gave me the prepared answers he had and I walked away knowing I really hadn’t accomplished anything. I remember he said something about all of the sports being as important as football and basketball and blah, blah, blah.
I also remember a reassuring smile (or at least I took it that way) when I told him I was a season ticket holder and how much I hoped to cheer for a Ferentz-led program for a long time.
I got my wish. Ferentz didn’t go the NFL and Gary Barta continued to lock down Ferentz through the 2020 season.
It was a great time to be a Hawkeye fan. It felt like you were playing with house money.
That was nine years ago. Since then the program has had one season with double-digit wins (11 in ’09). One nine-win season (’08) and two seasons with eight wins. That nine-year cycle also produced a record of 3-4 in bowl games.
There are people who constantly tell me to be happy with that kind of productivity. They tell me it’s unreasonable to expect the Hawkeyes to be any better than that over the long haul. They tell me Kirk Ferentz is the best coach this University could hope for right now.
THEY are not Hawkeye fans.
Hawkeye fans don’t need to be reminded about the NFL talent that’s been turned out. It’s actually become a point of contention. Why are so many NFL players being produced from a program that isn’t performing like the other teams with such talent?
Hawkeye fans don’t need to be reminded that Kirk Ferentz turned this program around from a one-win season in his first year. They don’t need to be reminded he won as many games in his fourth year as he did in his first three years combined. We are eternally grateful for that. We have shown our appreciation. We have forgiven sub-standard performances because of that turnaround.
In other words: those chip have been played.
As a Hawkeye fan, I sort of feel like I’m even with the house right now.
I sat through the lean years and really enjoyed the ride when it seemed to be flying high and fast. When expectations weren’t met, I stayed. When coaching changes seemed questionable, I stayed. When the playbook didn’t evolve despite coordinator changes, I stayed. This team could go back to a one-win seasons and I’d stay.
This brings us to the 2015 season, and it’s the biggest season for the “Ferentz Legacyâ€.
I think he knows it. Ferentz has to know what’s at stake. Season ticket sales are down, the schedule is as weak as it will possibly ever be and expectations are more manageable than they’ve been for several years.
There are only three possibilities for the season, as I see it.
1. Crush All Expectations: Go all “Ferentz performs best when we expect the least†on everybody! Come away with a nine-win season and remind everybody why you’re the best known, best looking, highest paid, most sought after coach in our state (again).

RESULT: What four-win season?
2. Be Mediocre Again: Go all “Ferentz is exactly as boring and predictable as we’ve always known†on everybody. Win seven games. No impressive wins. Lose to Iowa State, AGAIN. Land in a late December bowl game that doesn’t excite the fan base.

RESULT: Season ticket sales drop again. The seat gets warmer, but no calls are made to talk about raising the money for the buyout
3. Crush All Hope: Go all “Ferentz really crapped the bed on his way out†on everybody! Win five games. Lose to Iowa State AGAIN. Fall short of a Bowl game for just the 5th time in 17 years. Release a depth chart in January and promote son to a new position called Offensive Schemes Coordinator.

RESULT: Gary Barta either makes the phone calls to raise the money to fire Kirk Ferentz or Gary Barta sharpens his resume.
Hmm. Now that I think about it, can I get a healthy portion of ‘Possibility #1′ with a dash of the RESULT of ‘Possibility #3’?
No? Thought I’d ask.

 

[uihawk82]

In KF's first bowl game we saw two examples of upcoming trends in Hawk football. We saw the culmination of Norm Parkers defensive scheme and how he smothered and shut down that high powered TTech offense but we also saw a clock mgmt issue, which left extra time on the clock, on the last drive that netted the winning field goal. As many have said, Norm's defense and very good special teams covered up the offensive deficiencies, conservative offense, and questionable in game coaching decisions (time out use, clock mgmt, fg or not to fg, etc). As overall scoring has probalby increased the last 10 years (I dont have the stats to confirm) and Iowa lost its special teams edge and then a few years ago lost its defensive edge, Iowa's offense did not evolve and score more. So right now I would say the Hawks will be hard pressed to fly under the radar and get 9 or more wins this year. I hope I am wrong and CJ can light it up, PParker's defense will be better, and special teams, mainly punting and kick coverage will improve. All this tremendous insight on my part leads to me say I am hard pressed to trust KF to have it all together this year.

 

[imported_ankle23]

same ross peterson who didn't know that Norm and Phil weren't father/son? oh boy...

 

[kirby]

In KF's first bowl game we saw two examples of upcoming trends in Hawk football. We saw the culmination of Norm Parkers defensive scheme and how he smothered and shut down that high powered TTech offense but we also saw a clock mgmt issue, which left extra time on the clock, on the last drive that netted the winning field goal. As many have said, Norm's defense and very good special teams covered up the offensive deficiencies, conservative offense, and questionable in game coaching decisions (time out use, clock mgmt, fg or not to fg, etc). As overall scoring has probalby increased the last 10 years (I dont have the stats to confirm) and Iowa lost its special teams edge and then a few years ago lost its defensive edge, Iowa's offense did not evolve and score more. So right now I would say the Hawks will be hard pressed to fly under the radar and get 9 or more wins this year. I hope I am wrong and CJ can light it up, PParker's defense will be better, and special teams, mainly punting and kick coverage will improve. All this tremendous insight on my part leads to me say I am hard pressed to trust KF to have it all together this year.

good post. Norm was the best thing KF did for Iowa football. Now, it's so clear that the emperor isn't wearing any clothes.

 

[smbhawk1]

good post. Norm was the best thing KF did for Iowa football. Now, it's so clear that the emperor isn't wearing any clothes.

It is no coincidence that the downfall of Iowa football began when Norm Parker got sick. KF was exposed at that time.

In regards to clock management, what goes down as on of the single greatest plays in Iowa football history, Tate to Holloway, was on of the biggest clock management blunders ever. KF just happened to get bailed out and the rest is history. But, don't let KF kid you. He had no idea what was going on in the closing seconds of that game.

 

[WildTurkey]

The only way that play would have ever worked is if Kirk caight the defense off guard by not calling that time out. Coach did it on purpose and won us one of the best bowl victories in Iowa history!

 

[hawkdrummer1]

The only way that play would have ever worked is if Kirk caight the defense off guard by not calling that time out. Coach did it on purpose and won us one of the best bowl victories in Iowa history!

WOW! Thanks for the laugh... I just spewed water all over the place.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

The only way that play would have ever worked is if Kirk caight the defense off guard by not calling that time out. Coach did it on purpose and won us one of the best bowl victories in Iowa history!

Well played sir, well played.

 

[SteveGarvey]

same ross peterson who didn't know that Norm and Phil weren't father/son? oh boy...

Like Ross but don't agree with him when he says you're not a real Hawkeye fan if you think we coudn't expect Hawkeye football to sustain his success from the early to mid 2000s until now. Ferentz and Iowa had reached successes from 2001-2006 far beyond what any rational football fan should expect for Iowa Hawkeye football. We know about the lack of D-1 talent in Iowa and other disadvantages Iowa football has in relation to other schools so to say that success rate was sutainable is off base.

Being realistic about expectations doesn't make you a non-Hawkeye fan.

C'mon Ross, you should get a 15 yard penalty for that one.

 

[PCHawk]

It is no coincidence that the downfall of Iowa football began when Norm Parker got sick. KF was exposed at that time.

In regards to clock management, what goes down as on of the single greatest plays in Iowa football history, Tate to Holloway, was on of the biggest clock management blunders ever. KF just happened to get bailed out and the rest is history. But, don't let KF kid you. He had no idea what was going on in the closing seconds of that game.

Kirk probably missed the whole team celebration because he was too busy trying to calculate whether or not he should go for 2.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

That play was so awesome, for so many reasons. I had watched it dozens of times to relive it, blindly just feeling like it was one of the best plays in the history of Iowa football.

Then a few years ago, after multiple clock management / playcall gaffes from our staff, some likely costing us games...I watched it again...and it was like I watched it for the first time...if it hadn't been for Mr. Drew Tate, that clock would have hit zero, the staff was unaware.

 

[uihawk82]

Like Ross but don't agree with him when he says you're not a real Hawkeye fan if you think we coudn't expect Hawkeye football to sustain his success from the early to mid 2000s until now. Ferentz and Iowa had reached successes from 2001-2006 far beyond what any rational football fan should expect for Iowa Hawkeye football. We know about the lack of D-1 talent in Iowa and other disadvantages Iowa football has in relation to other schools so to say that success rate was sutainable is off base.

Being realistic about expectations doesn't make you a non-Hawkeye fan.

C'mon Ross, you should get a 15 yard penalty for that one.

hayden had a cycle of 4-5 years to be at championship caliber (one could say Chuck Long's last two years were both championship caliber). And KF has somewhat been at that cycle time, 4 years to get the first championship in 2002, then a quick turnaround to another title in '04 and then very close in '09. But that is what makes 2010 and later so baffling and disappointing with little to no top running backs behind good lines, a mediocre passing game, and the loss of some defensive stoutness. I am glad he hired Phil Parker because of Phil being with Norm and staying so long. And Phil proved what he can do and how he can adapt in 2013 when he has the horses.

the hawks had control of their own destiny IIRC with two wins against wisky and nebby to end the season last year. They barely lost each game and they probably should have one each game. Except for a couple of runs PParker had the defense tackling Wisky's runners. And the hawks stubbed their toe enough against Nebby to keep them close.

So if the hawks did what they should or could have last year against ISU, Wisky and Nebby, then last year would have been 5 years after 2009 and KF would have been on target, KF would be in good shape. But no, they stumbled, and I think a lot of fans see the stumbling by the head coach.

 

[SmokeTownHawk]

That play was so awesome, for so many reasons. I had watched it dozens of times to relive it, blindly just feeling like it was one of the best plays in the history of Iowa football.

Then a few years ago, after multiple clock management / playcall gaffes from our staff, some likely costing us games...I watched it again...and it was like I watched it for the first time...if it hadn't been for Mr. Drew Tate, that clock would have hit zero, the staff was unaware.

And that being unaware, that horrible clock management is inexcusable at this level of football. One would think there would at the very least be an assistant in the press box screaming in KF's ear to better utilize the clock. Otherwise what have we got? Brady Hoke?

 

[SteveGarvey]

hayden had a cycle of 4-5 years to be at championship caliber (one could say Chuck Long's last two years were both championship caliber). And KF has somewhat been at that cycle time, 4 years to get the first championship in 2002, then a quick turnaround to another title in '04 and then very close in '09. But that is what makes 2010 and later so baffling and disappointing with little to no top running backs behind good lines, a mediocre passing game, and the loss of some defensive stoutness. I am glad he hired Phil Parker because of Phil being with Norm and staying so long. And Phil proved what he can do and how he can adapt in 2013 when he has the horses.

the hawks had control of their own destiny IIRC with two wins against wisky and nebby to end the season last year. They barely lost each game and they probably should have one each game. Except for a couple of runs PParker had the defense tackling Wisky's runners. And the hawks stubbed their toe enough against Nebby to keep them close.

So if the hawks did what they should or could have last year against ISU, Wisky and Nebby, then last year would have been 5 years after 2009 and KF would have been on target, KF would be in good shape. But no, they stumbled, and I think a lot of fans see the stumbling by the head coach.

If Kirk wouldn't have been so successful for those four years then we wouldn't have such high expectations now. Shame on Kirk then for being so successful early on because he's letting us down now for not being as successful. He should have just had 7-8 win seasons back then. Then we wouldn't have such high expectations now, and then all of us could be considered good Hawkeye fans. Makes sense to me.

 

[iowalaw]

I don't think this has to be personal to ferentz. When ANYONE does something for too long, they burn out, lose their edge, and cut corners. Politicians who have been in office too long are the last ones to come up with innovative new ideas, and are more concerned with kickbacks and playing politics. Same with corporate CEOs, pro athletes, or your basic Wal Mart employee. Kirk is a victim of his own success. In the early days, he worked his butt off. He recruited. He devised schemes to fit his players' skill sets. He focused on fundamentals. He loved what he did, and the players could see it. Now, 17 years in, he views recruiting as a thankless job. A chore. He views innovative play calling as risky and would rather simply stick to what he knows rather than learn new ideas. He plays the players that don't give him lip. The mindless drones who keep their head down, work hard and don't ask questions. Guys with a little moxie are too much trouble to maintain and they ride the bench. Kirk doesn't even look like he enjoys football anymore. He never smiles. Rarely gets fired up after bad calls. I doubt he's even involved much in the day to day practices anymore. He's burned out and phoning it in. It happens in every profession.

 

[IowaHOCKS23]

(HawkeyeNation.com welcomes Ross Peterson of KXNO Sports Fanatics to the HN.com team. Ross will provide weekly commentaries on the Hawkeyes and joins our growing team of contributors including David Schwartz, Mitch Smith, Sean Neugent and Founder/Publisher Jon Miller. You can listen to Ross each weekday along with Chris Williams from 4 to 6pm on The KXNO Sports Fanatics on 1460 KXNO and follow him on twitter@RossPeterson_ )
Let’s go back.
Let’s go back to a time when ‘The Coach’ in this state everybody was afraid of losing was Kirk Ferentz.
It was kind of nice wasn’t it? Knowing that ‘our guy’ was coveted by the next level. I remember interviewing Gary Barta right after he was hired as Athletic Director in August of 2006. In fact, I was the first employee of WHO Radio to get a one on one with Mr. Barta. I was doing a weekend show at the Iowa State Fair in 2006. I got a phone call from my boss, Van Harden, and he said the University was going to be bringing their new Athletic Director to the Crystal Studios at the Fairgrounds for an interview.
I was ready. In fact, this was going to be easy! There was ONE thing to ask Gary Barta, one thing EVERY Hawkeye fan wanted to know at the time; “What are you going to do to keep Kirk Ferentz from going to the NFL?â€
Kirk Ferentz was HOT. I mean, “2015 Fred Hoiberg-Hotâ€!
At that time, rumors had been floating about Ferentz possibly taking over the newly opened Pittsburgh Steelers job. Ferentz had led the Hawkeyes to double-digit win totals in three of the previous four years. The 2005 season was also the fourth-straight January Bowl game for the program, and Ferentz was growing his already healthy reputation as one of the best coaches in the country at preparing his players for the NFL.
In reality, I was just a 20-something kid at the time, scared out of my mind, out of my league, pretending to do a radio show.
Gary Barta gave me the prepared answers he had and I walked away knowing I really hadn’t accomplished anything. I remember he said something about all of the sports being as important as football and basketball and blah, blah, blah.
I also remember a reassuring smile (or at least I took it that way) when I told him I was a season ticket holder and how much I hoped to cheer for a Ferentz-led program for a long time.
I got my wish. Ferentz didn’t go the NFL and Gary Barta continued to lock down Ferentz through the 2020 season.
It was a great time to be a Hawkeye fan. It felt like you were playing with house money.
That was nine years ago. Since then the program has had one season with double-digit wins (11 in ’09). One nine-win season (’08) and two seasons with eight wins. That nine-year cycle also produced a record of 3-4 in bowl games.
There are people who constantly tell me to be happy with that kind of productivity. They tell me it’s unreasonable to expect the Hawkeyes to be any better than that over the long haul. They tell me Kirk Ferentz is the best coach this University could hope for right now.
THEY are not Hawkeye fans.
Hawkeye fans don’t need to be reminded about the NFL talent that’s been turned out. It’s actually become a point of contention. Why are so many NFL players being produced from a program that isn’t performing like the other teams with such talent?
Hawkeye fans don’t need to be reminded that Kirk Ferentz turned this program around from a one-win season in his first year. They don’t need to be reminded he won as many games in his fourth year as he did in his first three years combined. We are eternally grateful for that. We have shown our appreciation. We have forgiven sub-standard performances because of that turnaround.
In other words: those chip have been played.
As a Hawkeye fan, I sort of feel like I’m even with the house right now.
I sat through the lean years and really enjoyed the ride when it seemed to be flying high and fast. When expectations weren’t met, I stayed. When coaching changes seemed questionable, I stayed. When the playbook didn’t evolve despite coordinator changes, I stayed. This team could go back to a one-win seasons and I’d stay.
This brings us to the 2015 season, and it’s the biggest season for the “Ferentz Legacyâ€.
I think he knows it. Ferentz has to know what’s at stake. Season ticket sales are down, the schedule is as weak as it will possibly ever be and expectations are more manageable than they’ve been for several years.
There are only three possibilities for the season, as I see it.
1. Crush All Expectations: Go all “Ferentz performs best when we expect the least†on everybody! Come away with a nine-win season and remind everybody why you’re the best known, best looking, highest paid, most sought after coach in our state (again).

RESULT: What four-win season?
2. Be Mediocre Again: Go all “Ferentz is exactly as boring and predictable as we’ve always known†on everybody. Win seven games. No impressive wins. Lose to Iowa State, AGAIN. Land in a late December bowl game that doesn’t excite the fan base.

RESULT: Season ticket sales drop again. The seat gets warmer, but no calls are made to talk about raising the money for the buyout
3. Crush All Hope: Go all “Ferentz really crapped the bed on his way out†on everybody! Win five games. Lose to Iowa State AGAIN. Fall short of a Bowl game for just the 5th time in 17 years. Release a depth chart in January and promote son to a new position called Offensive Schemes Coordinator.

RESULT: Gary Barta either makes the phone calls to raise the money to fire Kirk Ferentz or Gary Barta sharpens his resume.
Hmm. Now that I think about it, can I get a healthy portion of ‘Possibility #1′ with a dash of the RESULT of ‘Possibility #3’?
No? Thought I’d ask.

soooo, we have you to thank for Barta giving KF the contract he did?

Lol

 

[uihawk82]

I doubt he's even involved much in the day to day practices anymore. He's burned out and phoning it in. It happens in every profession.

I agree with the above to a point. If you could be a mouse in the corner of the coaches room at Fort Kinnick when they were debriefing after the 2014 season, if they did this, and if you could hear some really honest banter, I bet you would hear they were surprised about barely beating Ball State, losing to ISU, getting crunched by Minny, and playing some poor stretches in other games especially on offense in games like Wisky and Nebby.

It would be great to know what is on the coaches minds before and after games.

I think KF would have worked real hard after 2009 if he only had 4-5 years left on his contract. Heck if he gets fired there are about 15-25 other coaches and trainers would get fired.

So this contract, I think, has a lot to do with the results.

 

[PCHawk]

I don't think this has to be personal to ferentz. When ANYONE does something for too long, they burn out, lose their edge, and cut corners. Politicians who have been in office too long are the last ones to come up with innovative new ideas, and are more concerned with kickbacks and playing politics. Same with corporate CEOs, pro athletes, or your basic Wal Mart employee. Kirk is a victim of his own success. In the early days, he worked his butt off. He recruited. He devised schemes to fit his players' skill sets. He focused on fundamentals. He loved what he did, and the players could see it. Now, 17 years in, he views recruiting as a thankless job. A chore. He views innovative play calling as risky and would rather simply stick to what he knows rather than learn new ideas. He plays the players that don't give him lip. The mindless drones who keep their head down, work hard and don't ask questions. Guys with a little moxie are too much trouble to maintain and they ride the bench. Kirk doesn't even look like he enjoys football anymore. He never smiles. Rarely gets fired up after bad calls. I doubt he's even involved much in the day to day practices anymore. He's burned out and phoning it in. It happens in every profession.

I think Kirk got a little to full of himself in regards to developing low ranked recruits. Truth is, guys like Bob Sanders weren't low ranked guys who developed. They were guys who deserved high ranks that fell through the cracks. I think Kirk got a little to confident and figured one low ranked guy is as good as the next when you have his awesome ability to develope them. That's how he ended up with a bunch of in state guys.

 

[MoseSchrute]

I don't think this has to be personal to ferentz. When ANYONE does something for too long, they burn out, lose their edge, and cut corners. Politicians who have been in office too long are the last ones to come up with innovative new ideas, and are more concerned with kickbacks and playing politics. Same with corporate CEOs, pro athletes, or your basic Wal Mart employee. Kirk is a victim of his own success. In the early days, he worked his butt off. He recruited. He devised schemes to fit his players' skill sets. He focused on fundamentals. He loved what he did, and the players could see it. Now, 17 years in, he views recruiting as a thankless job. A chore. He views innovative play calling as risky and would rather simply stick to what he knows rather than learn new ideas. He plays the players that don't give him lip. The mindless drones who keep their head down, work hard and don't ask questions. Guys with a little moxie are too much trouble to maintain and they ride the bench. Kirk doesn't even look like he enjoys football anymore. He never smiles. Rarely gets fired up after bad calls. I doubt he's even involved much in the day to day practices anymore. He's burned out and phoning it in. It happens in every profession.

He's still a pretty good OL coach, though!

 

[Eda]

same ross peterson who didn't know that Norm and Phil weren't father/son? oh boy...

FTW!!