Ok, I already know what is going to happen with this thread, so if youre one of the following.. save your time and typing, because youre delusional and I will point it out and make you look ridiculous..
If you support blindly any and all management
If you pay $100 for extra toppings on your pizza
If you are happy with a participation ribbon for all kids, no winners
Just stay away from this thread.
Now, on to my thoughts, 5 days after the WORST LOSS I CAN REMEMBER AS A HAWK..
1) Our offense has looked "pretty good" rarely in this season. When they do, its high tempo, passing mixing in the run. NOT run when they expect it, run when they know its coming, run when they dont even have a CB on the field to defend the pass. Much respect to Coker, he runs hard... but if he is our starter next year, I will be majorly dissapointed. We have backs with better speed who assumably wont have the slippery football problems mr coker had at the beginning of the season. That being said, our coaching staff just wont do it.
2) Our defense has some "slightly skilled" players, nothing special (minus bernstein).. and I was HIIIIIIIIGH on JM's nuts last season. He hasnt impressed me thus far this season. Maybe its positional, probably not. To expect these players to perform up to a level in which they are not capable, as opposed to switching the scheme to better suit them.. It shows me the coaches on the defensive side are not capable.
3) Kirk Ferentz... Listen, I understand that he has coached us to a bcs bowl victory, I understand what he has done, but do YOU understand that the coaching was still remarkably horrible during these good seasons? Can you imagine what we could have done with a MORE DESERVING of 3.8 million dollar coach? There were 4 times I recall in 09 that I just could shake my head and think "Jesus, KF you suck!!"
I know he is some of yours jesus christ and savior, so you dont need to read this, and you dont need to respond, save it. Youre a nutcase.
The point is, for 10 years almost the coaching staff that so many of you praise blindly has been repeatedly making the same mistakes, which costs us games some years, and slid under the radar in the years where we had the talent to overcome poor coaching.
Im not saying every coach in the NCAA is perfect, or that all are better, but you for damn sure dont see saban, miles, spurrier ect making the same poor decisions and game management calls every year, in almost every game. Sure they slip up sometimes, but not often.
4) For the love of god, quit saying that recruiting is to blame. 99% of the time, while it IS to blame, its NOT why youre crying about. Iowa City, believe it or not, is a HUGE party town (yes, for the derp derps on here, I know every college has parties, but not EVERY college is rated as high as Iowa City for party schools) so there IS atmosphere. They get to play on TV damn near every week. We play in a prestigious conference.
Now, here is what you SHOULD be crying about, with respect to recruiting:
The fact that our coaches make it as undesirable as possible. NP doesnt even recruit. Yes, I understand his medical problems, so maybe he should do what is best for the university and call it a day. KF, please, if you listen to ANY advice, listen to this.. Kids want to play where they get to make exciting plays, you know, rewarded for the 5 days of busting their a$$ in practice. You just simply dont allow this. When we get a 3 point lead in the 2nd quarter, you go into run mode. Kids HATE HATE HATE HATE this. The 5* recruits at WR, QB, TE are NOT interested in playing not to lose. They want to win, and they want to win BIG. Get this through your thick, stubborn head. You need to go out this spring and recruit and say "look, Ive made mistakes, but starting this year, we are going to have a more aggressive approach to each and every game, whether it be Ohio State, Nebby or some FCS school" Let them know, you are going to put them in position to look good.
5) I dont expect another win out of this team the remainder of the season. I would LOVE to be wrong, but its not happening. We are getting into the talented portion of our schedule, and sadly, Minnesota was our only chance at making it to a bowl game. We blew that, no... we TYPHOONED that. I still say Michigan 61 Iowa 9.
6) Next year is going to be worse than this year, unless this staff is shaken up, mixed up, and for the most part, relieved of duty. If you want a winning team Kirk, then put the best players out there. That means the seniors who arent as good as some of the Fr, So, Jr.. well, they can cheerlead and mentor the younger players. I dont give a damn about their feelings. And you of all people, should be the LAST one to care. You are paid to win. Not paid to put a team out on the field for participation ribbons every saturday.
