ANF Podcast is back with Tim Lester

[Westernhawk]

Now that I am rambling on a Tuesday afternoon. I was wrong on the Tim Lester hire. I was initially disappointed in the Lester hire. I wanted Johns or Chryst. Not only was Lester the right hire…I am slowly becoming okay with him becoming Kirk’s successor.

That's kinda where I am as well. Having said that, I was pretty happy about him being the OC pick, and NOW I'm thinking he might be a damn good head coach at Iowa. The guy is also very likeable, in addition to being knowledgeable.

 

[guffus]

Now that I am rambling on a Tuesday afternoon. I was wrong on the Tim Lester hire. I was initially disappointed in the Lester hire. I wanted Johns or Chryst. Not only was Lester the right hire…I am slowly becoming okay with him becoming Kirk’s successor.

Given where Lester had to start out after the Brian Ferentz fallout, its safe to say the offense has seen some major improvement, scoring 30+ points in quite a few games in both his 1st and 2nd seasons. Lester did inherit a mess at QB and WR but also inherited a top OL and some decent RB's, and made the most of what he had to work with.

With that said, the next big test is still coming. Lester now has to rebuild the OL and develop a young starting QB and hope to improve the WR group. If he passes that test, I am with you.

 

[Westernhawk]

Given where Lester had to start out after the Brian Ferentz fallout, its safe to say the offense has seen some major improvement, scoring 30+ points in quite a few games in both his 1st and 2nd seasons. Lester did inherit a mess at QB and WR but also inherited a top OL and some decent RB's, and made the most of what he had to work with.

With that said, the next big test is still coming. Lester now has to rebuild the OL and develop a young starting QB and hope to improve the WR group. If he passes that test, I am with you.

As the season progressed last year, the offense had some MAJOR improvements. I mean, scoring in the 30s and 40s against some of our main rivals is something Brian F could only dream about.

It was also interesting, listening to the podcast, that Lester is only now getting players that he wants and that he recruited. Bessinger (sp?) is the first QB he recruited, I believe. He also had some interesting thoughts about new receivers and what he had to work with previously.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I agree with those saying Lester worked with the players he inherited and brought in as stopgaps well, and made the most of what he had to work with. Now, the BF stench is pretty much all gone and these kids are Lester players. This year will say a lot about Lester. There is good talent that he has brought in and developed across the board except at QB. Lester is a QB guru, so can he make something out of these three young and untested QBs that he hand selected and brought in? If so, this could be a special season and Lester will have my vote for HC in waiting.

 

[Zstatman]

One of the things I like is Lester saying there are lots of good, tough Ds in the B1G but if you run his offense right, it's the best offense against the good Ds.

I prognosticate a win over OSU.............

 

[NorthKCHawk]

A number of folks are suggesting that getting Michigan early might be a sneaky path to Iowa taking the first the of three game gauntlet. I feel like Iowa's offense will be further along than Michigan's offense early. Iowa has a lot of experience coming back, even with some losses to the NFL.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

A number of folks are suggesting that getting Michigan early might be a sneaky path to Iowa taking the first the of three game gauntlet. I feel like Iowa's offense will be further along than Michigan's offense early. Iowa has a lot of experience coming back, even with some losses to the NFL.

How would getting Michigan early benefit Iowa more than Michigan? They have a lot more returning experience, we're starting a new QB and we play them on their field.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

How would getting Michigan early benefit Iowa more than Michigan? They have a lot more returning experience, we're starting a new QB and we play them on their field.

Yes, they return some key guys, including QB, but they have a brand new coaching staff coming from outside the conference. So, there likely will be growing pains and adjustment periods for these new coaches and in putting in their new system.

To be clear, I would rather not play Michigan at all or on the road, but if that is the hand I am dealt, I would prefer we get them early before they get their footing.

 

[Westernhawk]

Yes, they return some key guys, including QB, but they have a brand new coaching staff coming from outside the conference. So, there likely will be growing pains and adjustment periods for these new coaches and in putting in their new system.

To be clear, I would rather not play Michigan at all or on the road, but if that is the hand I am dealt, I would prefer we get them early before they get their footing.

Time will tell (and we may lose to both) but I think playing Washington in Seattle will be tougher than playing Michigan in Ann Arbor.

We don't know exactly how Michigan will perform early in the year with a new coaching staff. It should be another interesting year!

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Yes, they return some key guys, including QB, but they have a brand new coaching staff coming from outside the conference. So, there likely will be growing pains and adjustment periods for these new coaches and in putting in their new system.

To be clear, I would rather not play Michigan at all or on the road, but if that is the hand I am dealt, I would prefer we get them early before they get their footing.

They return more than some keys guys. They're 20th in the country in returning production. Iowa is 104th.

As for early vs late. There's probably not a program in the country that stumbles more early and improves as the year goes than Iowa.

I guess what we're hoping for is an awkward scheme mismatch with the coaching change like we saw with Rich Rod or with Fickell at Wisconsin combined with a real leap forward by Lester's offense.

 

[Westernhawk]

They return more than some keys guys. They're 20th in the country in returning production. Iowa is 104th.

As for early vs late. There's probably not a program in the country that stumbles more early and improves as the year goes than Iowa.

I guess what we're hoping for is an awkward scheme mismatch with the coaching change like we saw with Rich Rod or with Fickell at Wisconsin combined with a real leap forward by Lester's offense.

You are probably right, but one unknown variable is a completely new coaching staff, and an athletic department that is getting all the wrong kinds of attention at the moment. It might not matter, but we'll see I guess!

I have blind Hawktimism at this time of year, so I AM hopeful that Lester finally has some of his guys and is able to continue the progress that has been made on offense.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

You are probably right, but one unknown variable is a completely new coaching staff, and an athletic department that is getting all the wrong kinds of attention at the moment. It might not matter, but we'll see I guess!

I have blind Hawktimism at this time of year, so I AM hopeful that Lester finally has some of his guys and is able to continue the progress that has been made on offense.

Unknown coaching staff is always a wild card, but the guys on the field don't give a damn about an ESPN story about the AD. They're gonna ball out.

I'm with you, I think we'll see a nice move forward with the O. A win at the Big House could level this team up pretty quickly. Coming home 4-0 to host tOSU would put us in the spotlight...literally with a big night game!

 

[HuckFinn]

Yes, they return some key guys, including QB, but they have a brand new coaching staff coming from outside the conference. So, there likely will be growing pains and adjustment periods for these new coaches and in putting in their new system.

To be clear, I would rather not play Michigan at all or on the road, but if that is the hand I am dealt, I would prefer we get them early before they get their footing.

I did watch Iowa win at Michigan.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

They return more than some keys guys. They're 20th in the country in returning production. Iowa is 104th.

As for early vs late. There's probably not a program in the country that stumbles more early and improves as the year goes than Iowa.

I guess what we're hoping for is an awkward scheme mismatch with the coaching change like we saw with Rich Rod or with Fickell at Wisconsin combined with a real leap forward by Lester's offense.

Again, I don't want to play this team at all, but if we have to, I still think early is better than late. Yes, Iowa often stubs its toe a few times early and tends to finish stronger. That is actually true of a good number of teams. Michigan has talent everywhere, but it may take them some time to get used to the new system and coaches. Iowa may not have as many returning starters, but pretty much everyone who will be playing on offense will have been in the same system for at least a season if not more. There is stability. That might be the one advantage Iowa has in this game. We have won games in the Big House before.