19 Consecutive Non-Winning Seasons!

[ColumbusHawk]

People have to understand and realize that Iowa is closer to 19 consecutive non-winning seasons than it is to the BCS National Championship game.

For 19 seasons, Iowa never won more than five games in a season (twice). In those 19 years Iowa won two or fewer games five times, including two zero wins seasons. Everybody who is criticizing Coach Ferentz, Ken O'Keefe, etc. have never experienced the depths of Iowa football. They don't really know how fortunate they are!

For those of us who are over fifty and remember all or most of those 19 years, it is wonderful to be ranked in the top twenty instead of the bottom ten. Sure, I was upset about the loss to Wisconsin. However, I am thankful that I was able to to see Iowa play in a meaningful football game. It sure beats the hell out of getting beat 49-7 every Saturday.

Coach Ferentz is a victim of his own success. He has brought expectations beyond an unreasonable level. I can just see the meltdown on this board if Iowa finishes 8-4 this year. However, in two of Hayden's three Rose Bowl years Iowa finished 8-4.

Under Hayden, Iowa finished in the top ten only twice. Both times at #10. Iowa still has a wonderful chance of finishing in the top ten this year, the fifth time in the last 9 years.

Sit back and enjoy the ride. Other than Evy's last five years, this is the best stretch of Iowa. In many respects, I think the criticism is wonderful. It means Iowa football is relevant. It could be a lot worse! Iowa's next coach could be Tim Brewster, Ron Zook, FXL, etc.

 

[silvanthalas]

People have to understand and realize that Iowa is closer to 19 consecutive non-winning seasons than it is to the BCS National Championship game.

I seem to recall getting up to 5th in the BCS just a few years ago. We spent two weeks at 4th last year.

But we're obviously *so* far removed from ever having a chance at the NC game...

 

[Hawke]

I think most of the bashing comes from those that are under 30 and think they are owed something and they are owed it NOW.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

I think most of the bashing comes from those that are under 30 and think they are owed something and they are owed it NOW.

A majority of the bashing is coming from the 20 and 30 years olds. Who have had the please of watching most often then not a competitive program. It's just the nature of the beast.

 

[Rawkhawk73]

Since when does criticism and a desire to be better correlate with not being happy with our overall program?

My God people, get a freaking grip. No one, other than a single flamer on Saturday, is calling for Ferentz's, O'Keefe's, or anyone else's head. No one is saying we can do better with another coach. No one is saying we need to revoke scholarships.

All I've seen for the most part is some pretty thought-provoking, intelligent, well-thought-out criticism and concerns about how we handle end-of-game scenarios. If this was the first time it happened, then fine, people can get pissy with those posters all they want. The fact of the matter is that we are 11-17 in our last 28 games decided by 8 points or less. Over a 5 year timeframe, that is a trend.

 

[bws258]

Coach Ferentz is a victim of his own success. He has brought expectations beyond an unreasonable level. I can just see the meltdown on this board if Iowa finishes 8-4 this year. However, in two of Hayden's three Rose Bowl years Iowa finished 8-4.

great points, and great perspective!

Something I believe is true is that the enemy of greatness is good-enough. While I can understand how our current level of success is good enough for many Hawk fans, I'll always be pining for greatness. Don't get me wrong, I love being good and nationally relevant, in the interim. And the frustration that comes with coming close is certainly better than obscurity, irrelevance, apathy.

 

[StatelineHawk]

I was around for those 19 seasons, even though I don't remember the first couple. I like this better. That still does not make me happy losing games like Sat.

 

[homes]

People have to understand and realize that Iowa is closer to 19 consecutive non-winning seasons than it is to the BCS National Championship game.

For 19 seasons, Iowa never won more than five games in a season (twice). In those 19 years Iowa won two or fewer games five times, including two zero wins seasons. Everybody who is criticizing Coach Ferentz, Ken O'Keefe, etc. have never experienced the depths of Iowa football. They don't really know how fortunate they are!

For those of us who are over fifty and remember all or most of those 19 years, it is wonderful to be ranked in the top twenty instead of the bottom ten. Sure, I was upset about the loss to Wisconsin. However, I am thankful that I was able to to see Iowa play in a meaningful football game. It sure beats the hell out of getting beat 49-7 every Saturday.

Coach Ferentz is a victim of his own success. He has brought expectations beyond an unreasonable level. I can just see the meltdown on this board if Iowa finishes 8-4 this year. However, in two of Hayden's three Rose Bowl years Iowa finished 8-4.

Under Hayden, Iowa finished in the top ten only twice. Both times at #10. Iowa still has a wonderful chance of finishing in the top ten this year, the fifth time in the last 9 years.

Sit back and enjoy the ride. Other than Evy's last five years, this is the best stretch of Iowa. In many respects, I think the criticism is wonderful. It means Iowa football is relevant. It could be a lot worse! Iowa's next coach could be Tim Brewster, Ron Zook, FXL, etc.

In a much less important way, I liken Iowa football fans are to those who grew up in the depression and those who didn't. Iowa fans from the 50s through the 70s (in general) have known good times, followed by hard times. Thereby, they enjoy, savor and appreciate any success, and don't take anything for granted, knowing things can go bad if you're not careful. Iowa fans from the 80s to present (again, in general) have only known relatively successful teams, become impatient when more success is not constantly heaped upon them and don't take the time to appreciate what they really have - they only want more. When there is any sign of failure, it's met, not with the knowledge that it can happen and the patience to see it through, but with an intemperance for the lack of immediate success.

Furthermore, one generation doesn't understand the other's point of view, and thinks the other is nuts.

 

[ChosenChildren]

Great post. Could not agree more. Many young Iowa fans are clueless and spoiled.

I would take 7-5 right now, because that will mean Gator Bowl or better.

I do believe that they have a chance to do better than 7-5 with the remaining schedule. All 5 teams are beatable.

 

[CHShawk]

I don't understand the coaching staff bashing either (I'm one of the younger guys btw). I am looking at this from a different perspective. Look at the basketball program. During the 90s we had a classy coach (Mr. Davis) who did it the right way. Constantly churning out NCAA appearances and top 25 teams. We all know what happened with that. Now we have a football coach that has brought similar consistent success. I think it will take A LOT for Iowa to ever get rid of Ferentz but there seems to be a similar feeling in a small part of the fanbase. Sure I would LOVE for Iowa to take the next step and compete for national championships in football, but I would definitely prefer that our football program never ends up in the current state of our basketball program.

 

[WVHawk]

Great post and well stated. I was at Iowa in the mid 60's and a manager on the team. That was not fun. For 19 years we were laughted at. You take the crowd and attmosphere that was in Kinnick Sat. That never happened during those 19 years. There were games where they were lucky to get 40,000. We would hope that we would at least make a first down in a quarter. More times than not, the band was the most exciting part of the games. I see a lot of posts laughing at Minn., ISU and 60other struggling programs. That was Iowa in the 60's and 70's. It is amazing what Kirk has done at Iowa. It takes a special coach to appricate and understand what it takes to put a winning program on at Iowa. We don't have a ton of Big Ten talent coming out of the Iowa HS system. Some very good ones, just not enough. We have been blessed with two in a row. Let's enjoy what we have. I am upset as any fan about the lost Sat. But I will take winning like we have with Kirk and being in a position to win most games.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

I'm 33, and in my lifetime, Hawkeye football has been pretty strong, with some REALLY good teams mixed in there. Only a couple down years here and there. 1998-2000 are about the only truly BAD years I can really remember, and that was a relatively short period that occurred during a coaching transition.

I wasn't around for most of the dark years, and have no memory of Hayden's early years. But just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't realize that we have a good thing going right now and that we should consider ourselves lucky. We could be ISU..

At the same time, I also don't think it means we can't be critical of certain decisions made in a close game that we lost just as long as it's done in a respectful, well thought-out way. Much like the game @OSU last year, and playing for overtime. I will probably never agree with that decision not to go for the win in regulation while we had the momentum, but does that mean that I want our coaches fired because I disagree with some of their decisions? NO!!!

 

[racerhawk]

Great Post.

When I was a kid, my dad took me to games at Kinnick. A couple of times a year, maybe even five times per year, the hawks would win.

Now, I leave the stadium (same seats!!) steamed when we lose to a top ten team. Granted, after a while, I realize that I've witnessed Iowa wins against top ten teams in recent years as well. I guess it all comes with the territory of being a relevant football program.

The test comes this Saturday. Beating MSU will still be important. Iowa can still have a very good year. Let's get behind the team.

 

[SDK46]

52 here....agree with most of it.

However, to be a total pain-in-the-a$$,

Since our BB team has been crappy the last 3 years, mirroring what it was under Schultz (which I remember), shouldn't we be content with sub-par BB and then be really really happy when we're better than sub-par?

I think not, and the reason is, as others have said, the bar has been raised.

I totally remember the days when Iowa FB blew, but you know what, that was 20-30 years ago.

New day, new successes, new expectations. It's human nature.

 

[kuhntz]

This is completely wrong. 1981....Iowa went to the Rose Bowl for the first time under Fry correct? That gives us at least 29 years of being Big 10 contender and much closer to National Championships than 19 straight losing seasons.

 

[Oldtimer]

Oh so true. Those of us that are a bit older do remember the dark days of Iowa football. We remember the days of Kinnick having at most 35,000 fans, and many of them leaving early. This is a great time in Iowa football. We have hopes and expectations to be a legit power. As I have posted earlier, if at the end of last year someone would say we could be 9-3 or 10-2 this year, I would say, "Sign me up. I am so glad we are in a position to complain about close losses to good teams. And as always, "GO HAWKS"

 

[silvanthalas]

Many young Iowa fans are clueless and spoiled.

What's the line about one's kids and who chooses the nursing home...

To call us clueless and spoiled? What, because we didn't have the 'honor' of being a college football equivalent to the Pittsburgh Pirates? Yeah, that's a helluva honor you've got there.

In fact, you're more than welcome to keep that honor since all it has apparently done is made you bitter toward those of us who simply were born in a different year.

 

[SDK46]

This is completely wrong. 1981....Iowa went to the Rose Bowl for the first time under Fry correct? That gives us at least 29 years of being Big 10 contender and much closer to National Championships than 19 straight losing seasons.

2010 marked the 49th year (49th!) from when the 19-year losing streak started (1962). The non-winning-season streak ended in 1981.

 

[eyekwah]

For those of us who are over fifty and remember all or most of those 19 years, it is wonderful to be ranked in the top twenty instead of the bottom ten. Sure, I was upset about the loss to Wisconsin. However, I am thankful that I was able to to see Iowa play in a meaningful football game. It sure beats the hell out of getting beat 49-7 every Saturday.

My sentiments as well. Too many fans are not aware of the factors that were part of the reason for the ineptitude of Iowa Football and in general, Big 10 Football. The conference put itself at a disadvantage, and especially the teams other than Michigan and Ohio State. The conference would only permit one team to go to a bowl (the Rose), it restricted football scholarships to 30 per year, and the conference academic entrance requirements were well above other conferences and the NCAA's. Those barrier were gradually removed or equalized and the conference became more competitive.

The fan bases at Penn State, Michigan, and Nebraska have all recently experienced less success than they were/are typically use to. Penn State hasn't, but Michigan and Nebraska got rid of winning coaches (Carr, Solich) and fell backward. For that matter Alabama went through some doldrums after Bear Bryant's exit.

The season isn't over and while a NC isn't in the cards it is still possible to right the ship and still finish where predicted.

 

[Stiles]

Couldn't disagree more with the OP.

1. To say you can't critize bad decisions made by the coach and express disappointment is completely ridiclous. Ferentz has now admitted to his mistakes. You can be critical and not say someone should be fired. I hope Kirk Ferentz coaches out his new contract, but him and his staff had some really boneheaded mistakes Saturday.

2. Iowa will never, I said never, have a 19 year none winning streak again. College football is completely different. 1. 85 schlorship limit 2. TV is national (easier to recruit kids to your school) 3. Play more games and cupcakes 4. The amount of money Iowa spends on it football program is up there with any program in the country (how much we pay to get and keep a great coach, infrastructure, etc.

Am I predicting we win the national title, no, but we are much closer to that then 19 straight lossing season.

3. Ferentz isn't a victim of anything, he makes $3.8m a year now. He has been rewarded for his success. When you deliver something and then are highly compensated, people want more of the same. E.g. Big Ten Titles.

4. No program should expect or demand less then perfection. Is it possible no, but having high expectation for a team, or in life in general, is how things happen. I promise you the team and Ferentz expect more than and 8-4 team, does it always happen, no, but they expect it.

5. Just because I didn't "suffer" through the 19 losing seasons doesn't mean I don't appreciate what we fans have any less then you. I can appreciate having indoor plumbing never having s*&^ in an outhouse.