Starting To Also Think It’s Time

[NCHawker]

We get accustomed to things

The idea that coaches are talking about MG is finding himself, footwork and embracing the deep ball —- for a guy who’s played this many games tells me they fouled up the evaluation. A $2mm QB should be plug and play at a high level seems to me

Saw this today it’s not shocking but completely unheard of so far at Iowa.

Sources: Pitt is making a change at starting quarterback today against Boston College, with 18-year-old freshman Mason Heintschel getting his first career start in place of incumbent starter Eli Holstein.

 

[hawkinn3]

I gotta say, after the last couple games he’s looking like he’s hitting his 5th turnaround.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Don’t reply to this unless you watched KF’s full postgame. I’ll delete responses indicating you didn’t watch. It’s short, and it’s free on YouTube. Search “Ferentz postgame” and it’s right there at the top.

I’ve not been one to say KF needs to go, and I still wouldn’t say that 100%, but after watch ing KF’s postgame last night it’s 99% clear to me for the most part.

It may be age, it may be something else, but this thing has passed him by. There’s no fire, no frustration, no nothing anymore. Watching it it was just “I thought we had a good week of preparation, they’re a good team, our kids are a good group of guys that played hard, and we’ll watch film and learn from it.” You can tell he can’t keep up the fire anymore. You can see it on his face during the game.

Again, there’s no fire, no frustration, no anything. The dude looks like an elderly shell of a man in last night’s presser, guys. He looked frail and tired. Like it’s too much for him. There’s no other way to say it and you have to admit you saw it

I know KF loves coaching. But I also know guys like him don’t quit because they don’t recognize when they can’t do it anymore. It’s hard, I get it, but it is what it is.

We all know KF ain’t getting fired, ever. If you think that’s a possibility you’re an idiot. He’s going to get to choose how much of his contract he uses. My only hope is he realizes it soon and helps make a good decision as to who his successor is. If he doesn’t and the next guy is one of those nebraska/Wisconsin type flubs, we’re cooked. You’re not going to sell the stadium out anymore, you’re not going to sell out of $4,000 RV spots, and people aren’t going to go drop a $50 bill on 3 beers to watch a team get shithoused when they can sit in their garage and spend $1 per beer, and turn the channel when the Hawks don’t get a game-winning 3rd down and miss a field goal that would force Cignetti to panic and play different. They don’t have to sit in traffic for an hour and drive 2 hours home. And we all know what’s going to happen to NIL when we get to that point.

There’s a lot riding on this next hire. I hope it’s coming sooner than later but I also know it’s not going to happen till the end of the contract. Any of you who’ve seen the celebration and huge deal made on KF’s longevity mark and how he’s idolized in Iowa City also know the U isn’t going to say, “Sorry man, you’re fired.”

He needs to realize he can’t do it anymore before this thing gets too late.

Anyone hearing anything? Seems quiet, but I don't think we'll hear any rumbles whenever it happens, whether that's this year or three years down the road.

 

[Fryowa]

Anyone hearing anything? Seems quiet, but I don't think we'll hear any rumbles whenever it happens, whether that's this year or three years down the road.

I’ve heard rumblings from three different people I trust and who know folks pretty close to the powers that be, and all I’ll say is I think there’s a 93.48% chance this is Kirk’s last dance. Do I know that for sure? No. But I’m pretty confident. I could also be completely wrong. If it happens I’ll explain, and if it doesn’t I still might. But…remember my opinion is worth what I’m paid for it. $0.

I’ll go on record as putting my money down on no KF next year.

Actually, maybe I’ll start a poll and we can have some giggles in January when we find out…

 

[Grady]

I’ve heard rumblings from three different people I trust and who know folks pretty close to the powers that be, and all I’ll say is I think there’s a 93.48% chance this is Kirk’s last dance. Do I know that for sure? No. But I’m pretty confident. I could also be completely wrong. If it happens I’ll explain, and if it doesn’t I still might. But…remember my opinion is worth what I’m paid for it. $0.

I’ll go on record as putting my money down on no KF next year.

Actually, maybe I’ll start a poll and we can have some giggles in January when we find out…

Isn't there a new change that a one-time portal will only be open for a couple weeks in January? If so, you'd have to know who your coach will be before that portal opens in order to put together a team for 2026.

Or I guess if a head coach leaves after the portal closes, it automatically opens up the portal for guys to LEAVE Iowa if it's later than January? But I would expect that doesn't necessarily mean other players could COME to Iowa after that one-time portal deadline.

In other words, if you don't have your new coach in place by Jan 1, you can basically kiss off the entire 2026 season?

KF talked about that one-time portal at his presser and said for a place like Iowa that often evaluates late into the spring, recruiting going forward will feel like a 'crapshoot' to him. But he didn't necessarily sound like somebody preparing to hang 'em up. And if I'm him and looking at Iowa's 2026 schedule, I see only one team that I'd be a significant underdog to.

But I don't doubt Fry's sources....

 

[HuckFinn]

I’ve heard rumblings from three different people I trust and who know folks pretty close to the powers that be, and all I’ll say is I think there’s a 93.48% chance this is Kirk’s last dance. Do I know that for sure? No. But I’m pretty confident. I could also be completely wrong. If it happens I’ll explain, and if it doesn’t I still might. But…remember my opinion is worth what I’m paid for it. $0.

I’ll go on record as putting my money down on no KF next year.

Actually, maybe I’ll start a poll and we can have some giggles in January when we find out…

I sure hope you are wrong. Of course, change is inevitable.

 

[Fryowa]

Isn't there a new change that a one-time portal will only be open for a couple weeks in January? If so, you'd have to know who your coach will be before that portal opens in order to put together a team for 2026.

Or I guess if a head coach leaves after the portal closes, it automatically opens up the portal for guys to LEAVE Iowa if it's later than January? But I would expect that doesn't necessarily mean other players could COME to Iowa after that one-time portal deadline.

In other words, if you don't have your new coach in place by Jan 1, you can basically kiss off the entire 2026 season?

KF talked about that one-time portal at his presser and said for a place like Iowa that often evaluates late into the spring, recruiting going forward will feel like a 'crapshoot' to him. But he didn't necessarily sound like somebody preparing to hang 'em up. And if I'm him and looking at Iowa's 2026 schedule, I see only one team that I'd be a significant underdog to.

But I don't doubt Fry's sources....

I sure hope you are wrong. Of course, change is inevitable.

Like I've said before, I could be wrong but I don't think I am. If I'm wrong, I'll remind people that I said I might be wrong when the time comes. Lots of things can change and it hinges on Iowa (not KF) getting who they're after.

I will say this, my fears of Seth Wallace getting the job have been tempered slightly which is good. I don't think BG is a fan of Wallace and that will have some influence. She has endeared herself to donors. If KF gets his way it will 100% be Wallace, but thankfully Gary Farta isn't in office anymore and I think the legacy donors who will blindly go along with whatever Ferentz thinks is best are outmatched by people who want something else.

The side effect is I don't think it will be KF's preferred way of going out, his kid getting booted out of town wasn't his preferred situation either. That's football. Doesn't change his legacy in my mind; I'm pretty sure Saint Fry didn't go out the way he wanted either.

This was Kirk's "hinge" season IMO. Flashy new (to Iowa) QB, good RBs, good OL, Phil still at the helm. If Iowa wins 2 of the 4 games they've lost so far this year I think it's a 10 win season narrowly missing the playoffs and KF looks at staying his contract out. Would've been pretty tough to encourage him to retire after something like that. But...Iowa is likely going to finish the year out 7-5 and the last time that happened was 2014 and ended with the Hawk Slayer Bowl disaster. Everyone wanted him gone after that season and he had had his worst 4 year stretch of his career to date. CJB saved him. I don't think he's going to get that much grace anymore, especially with MG gone and a QB room full of guys who've never played a meaningful snap in college football. Iowa has to go to the portal for a QB anyway, what difference does it make who the HC is? Rip the band-aid off and start over. It really is perfect timing for him to step aside and still go out on a winning season rather than stick around and go 5-7 or whatever with some random quarterback they got from a used car lot. Would be that much tougher to make that transition after a wet blanket season.

As long as it isn't Wallace I'll live with whatever they do. The odds are so monumentally stacked against any P4 team changing coaches it is what it is.

 

[guffus]

Iowa has one other 7-5 season since 2014.


Iowa went 7-5 in 2017 and then won the Pinstripe bowl to finish 8-5

 

[Fryowa]

Iowa has one other 7-5 season since 2014.


Iowa went 7-5 in 2017 and then won the Pinstripe bowl to finish 8-5

Thanks for the correction to my recollection. I stink at recollection.

 

[SCHawkeye2]

Monday Musings: What’s the difference between me and you?

Iowa’s loss at USC showed just how stale the Hawkeyes have become.

www.blackheartgoldpants.com

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Like I've said before, I could be wrong but I don't think I am. If I'm wrong, I'll remind people that I said I might be wrong when the time comes. Lots of things can change and it hinges on Iowa (not KF) getting who they're after.

I will say this, my fears of Seth Wallace getting the job have been tempered slightly which is good. I don't think BG is a fan of Wallace and that will have some influence. She has endeared herself to donors. If KF gets his way it will 100% be Wallace, but thankfully Gary Farta isn't in office anymore and I think the legacy donors who will blindly go along with whatever Ferentz thinks is best are outmatched by people who want something else.

The side effect is I don't think it will be KF's preferred way of going out, his kid getting booted out of town wasn't his preferred situation either. That's football. Doesn't change his legacy in my mind; I'm pretty sure Saint Fry didn't go out the way he wanted either.

This was Kirk's "hinge" season IMO. Flashy new (to Iowa) QB, good RBs, good OL, Phil still at the helm. If Iowa wins 2 of the 4 games they've lost so far this year I think it's a 10 win season narrowly missing the playoffs and KF looks at staying his contract out. Would've been pretty tough to encourage him to retire after something like that. But...Iowa is likely going to finish the year out 7-5 and the last time that happened was 2014 and ended with the Hawk Slayer Bowl disaster. Everyone wanted him gone after that season and he had had his worst 4 year stretch of his career to date. CJB saved him. I don't think he's going to get that much grace anymore, especially with MG gone and a QB room full of guys who've never played a meaningful snap in college football. Iowa has to go to the portal for a QB anyway, what difference does it make who the HC is? Rip the band-aid off and start over. It really is perfect timing for him to step aside and still go out on a winning season rather than stick around and go 5-7 or whatever with some random quarterback they got from a used car lot. Would be that much tougher to make that transition after a wet blanket season.

As long as it isn't Wallace I'll live with whatever they do. The odds are so monumentally stacked against any P4 team changing coaches it is what it is.

Whoa. Lots of questions. What do you mean this hinges on Iowa getting who they're after? As in Iowa will be making the move, and buying Kirk out?

 

[Fryowa]

Whoa. Lots of questions. What do you mean this hinges on Iowa getting who they're after? As in Iowa will be making the move, and buying Kirk out?

We'll all find out one way or the other in a couple months.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

It seems like the most likely record at the end of the season is 8-5. Win out and lose the BOWL, or stub our toe at Nebbie and win a non-Championship BOWL against a lesser opponent with more opt outs than us.

With respect, you don't push out the all-time winningest coach in school and conference history with a clear winning record like 8-5, and on a schedule that was brutal. Iowa was nationally relevant for a couple of weeks, and a couple bad breaks from still being in the CFB conversation late in the year. This is not a dire situation by any stretch requiring a change. Hell, he might win out and then there is no debate he stays if he wants another year.

7-6? Its a stronger case, but I still say he has earned himself another season.

If he loses out, meaning losing his last 5 games of the season, yep, Beth would have juice to put KF out to pasture.

These next two games, plus the BOWL game, are pretty critical to the perception of the program and its HC.

 

[Fryowa]

With respect, you don't push out the all-time winningest coach in school and conference history with a clear winning record like 8-5, and on a schedule that was brutal. Iowa was nationally relevant for a couple of weeks, and a couple bad breaks from still being in the CFB conversation late in the year. This is not a dire situation by any stretch requiring a change. Hell, he might win out and then there is no debate he stays if he wants another year.

You are free to believe me or not, but up until a week and a half ago I'd have said the exact same thing.

It will never get described publicly as a push out, but I can tell you for certain that the Iowa athletic dept is pursuing a certain individual aggressively. That hasn't come from anyone on this board, btw. I have had one person here tell me something that's kinda sorta similar, but I don't take anything said by posters here seriously, myself included.

Whether that individual can be persuaded is up to them.

 

[Hawke]

As long as it isn't Wallace I'll live with whatever they do. The odds are so monumentally stacked against any P4 team changing coaches it is what it is.

I would also hate to see Wallace hired as the new HC based mostly on a preference for new blood, fresh approach, etc. That being said I would be okay with Lester being elevated to HC.

I’m curious as to why you are opposed to Wallace. Is it his lackluster resumé or do you have information that is not publicly available?

 

[NorthKCHawk]

You are free to believe me or not, but up until a week and a half ago I'd have said the exact same thing.

It will never get described publicly as a push out, but I can tell you for certain that the Iowa athletic dept is pursuing a certain individual aggressively. That hasn't come from anyone on this board, btw. I have had one person here tell me something that's kinda sorta similar, but I don't take anything said by posters here seriously, myself included.

Whether that individual can be persuaded is up to them.

Understood. And I get it. Everyone is human and pretty much everyone has a price. Its hard to fault any player or coach from leaving a gig if someone else will pay them a lot more money and/or give you a better chance to succeed. You go where you are most valued.

Similarly, here, if a homerun hire becomes available and will take the job, then Beth has to pull the trigger. But, to me, it would have to be such a name that even people like me would say, "yea, she kinda had to do that." I am struggling to think of who would be so good as to warrant putting KF out to pasture, AND would take the job. Guys like Franklin or Brian Kelly would not do it for me.

Candidly, I suspect nothing comes of this information, but if it goes down, you are on record.

 

[hawkinn3]

I genuinely do not understand why he still wants to keep coaching after this year. There’s a great chance we’re terrible next year.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I would also hate to see Wallace hired as the new HC based mostly on a preference for new blood, fresh approach, etc. That being said I would be okay with Lester being elevated to HC.

I’m curious as to why you are opposed to Wallace. Is it his lackluster resumé or do you have information that is not publicly available?

Oh my god, no. I can't read Fry's rants about Wallace again. Fry hates him. Leave it there!!!!!

 

[Fryowa]

I genuinely do not understand why he still wants to keep coaching after this year. There’s a great chance we’re terrible next year.

Kirk also has to be sick of NIL. Going out and looking for free agent quarterbacks every year can't be what he got into coaching for.

 

[Fryowa]

Oh my god, no. I can't read Fry's rants about Wallace again. Fry hates him. Leave it there!!!!!

You're a lawyer. Don't try to convince me you read everything that comes in front of your eyeballs.

If someone doesn't know why Seth Wallace is a confirmed piece of amphibian shit, it's my duty to show them.

You think I want to root for nebraska if he gets hired? I'm out here doing the lord's work, brother...