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At the end of the day, it is ALWAYS about money. When boosters and high-level donors see waning interest and fan support, and empty seats, the writing is on the wall. Clearly, those with the power behind the scenes didn't see a path for Fran to elevate the program any further.

Thanks. I'll take a look at it. Sonnen is a bit of an odd cat...

As much as I love Tom and Terry, I've expressed my concerns before that their coaching styles make me wonder if wrestlers become somewhat emotionally burned out as seasons and careers go on. Both Tom and Terry are intense dudes at their cores, and preach aggressiveness and intensity as the keys...

Get ready for some read-option, and perhaps lots of it. That is Ruggiero's specialty. It will hard to recognize our offense after fully incorporating Lester's Shanahan/LeFleur concepts and Ruggiero's read-option concepts.

I agree. I was just pointing out that the premise that Davis had it easier because players didn't leave early as much back then is a false equivalency, because the landscape for both coaches is/was the same for their opponents, which makes it a wash.

On a side note, was anyone at Spencer's meet Wednesday? Bummer that he lost to Ono, but Ono is a machine. I'll be watching when it pops up on YouTube.

I think it's a fair point if we are comparing, but we have to factor in that the playing field is level either way. Opposing teams kept their better players longer in Tom's era, and opposing teams all deal with good players leaving early now, so I'm not sure the point moves the needle.

Yeah, I agree, I don't see it happening either, but from a fan standpoint, that's kind of a weak argument IMO. 6-10 guys that have a chance at the podium every year isn't going to change either way, so forcing wrestlers in that 225-230 lb range to either, 1. cut weight drastically or, 2...

As far as plugging holes and doling out cash for next year, I'm not sure that 25 should be a big priority. I think there's a pretty good chance that Tom goes with DeLuca even as a true frosh. He's a talented kid. Finding a HWT that would do appreciably better than Ben would be a major...

I agree, there's almost no way PSU targets him. I would be more concerned with programs that are trying to climb the ladder and start dangling huge carrots under the table to his dad. I hope he sticks it out. A lot of talent there.

Definitely no doubt about that. Iowa has had numerous highly touted guys flame out, which is why I've always yearned for Tom and Terry to recruit with a higher emphasis on talent as opposed to prioritizing toughness and intensity. Both obviously are important but raw talent has a higher ceiling...

In fairness to Kueter, I mean, good God. I'd be hard pressed to find another wrestler that has faced that kind of murderer's row in the same season: Gable arguable the best ever at the collegiate level and already in the discussion at freestyle, Kerkvliet, who has gradually developed into a...

I always liked Tom, but keeping it real, his conference win record without Raveling recruits was about .50. Not exactly world-beating. It was fairly well-known that he wasn't exactly enthusiastic about recruiting, and he often was late to the game with guys he should have been in-on much...

I've stated before that my gut says that Fran is gone after this season. If he's stays, I would say that the chance he is here after next season is < 10 %. I agree with Fry. It is highly unlikely he gets fired. I just don't see it happening when factoring in his body of work over the years, and...

I don't know if we are including hyped players coming in, but if we are: James Moses Averaged close to 35 pts/gm in HS in California, and was to be a smoother version of Chris Kingsbury coming in. I recall as a freshman, even the pre-game routine on the court included him demonstrated proper...

Yes, noticed Dan there. The lack of fan presence was notable as well.

And the championship match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64i-Op4nrsk

https://hawkeyeswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/hawkeyes/football/2025/02/09/iowa-football-tristan-wirfs-ap-all-pro-tackle/78373440007/

RBY is not the same wrestler when he can't get a lead to coast on. His only TD was after Spencer had basically shut it down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0522ni6AVhk