...But seriously, fire Kirk Ferentz

[ColoradoHAWKEYE]

Yeah its just typical knee jerkage.

We had a regular season that was satisfying... but next year is still huge.

Could be said about most any team, regardless of records, every year...except maybe 10 programs that exceed expectations each year. Now, the dissenters need to be like the coachs they call out, and own up to the error of their ways (this time).

I'll admit I didn't see us as "reliable" and "dependable" to pull out big plays as the year started, but they materialized...and did happen...time over time. At the beginning of the year (even 5 games in) I was skeptical of play calling and game mgmt issues..They certainly overcame those issues with heads up play early on today.

I've always believed football is a game of field position and "heads-up" smart play. A great example today was the way that the Hawks utilized their timeouts...especially in the first half to slow down Nebby's drive, and in second half to avoid a 5 yard penalty for some miss-communication in a visiting stadium. The play calling is always questionable, as it is for any team, at any point in the game when it doesn't work out.

Next year is next year...let's worry about beeatching about that one then, and be happy with the over-achieving one now!

 

[Motigerhawk]

I started the FIRE FERENTZ thread. And Im not real excited about KF. But I wil say this. This was the most exciting Hawk team Ive seen in years. We blitzed, a lot. And caused problems. We stil were poor at half time adjustments, but we wore Nebby down. Good stuff. But this was a poor and undisciplined nebby team. But I admit, 8-4 was way out my thought process. Go Hawks.
But, I still am done with KF. Whats our defense going to look like next year after we lose 3 VG LBs. and a loss of a LT? Time will tell and I hope its a NC. Hoping Hawk fan here.

 

[Motigerhawk]

Yiu know what? When KF went after the refs and was cussing? I was stoked. A coach with emotion? Im in.

 

[DBAHawkFan]

I'll eat some crow....KF has allowed the defense to evolve a lil bit. Our LBs played as well as any in Iowa's history over the past month. They could not be stopped on blitzing and Hitchens seemed to force a turnover exactly when we needed it.

So the defense, while a ill soft in the defensive backfield, played to their strength.

The offense tho is still borderline garbage, but does just enough to get us wins this year. Canzeri needs to be on the field more, and play calling needs to adjust to who is on the field.

KF did something this year he's never done, beat the teams he should beat. MN, ISU, NW, PU, and then a down MI and hurt NE team.

Next year will tell a lot for KF and his staff. On paper one of the easiest schedules ever. I don't see where there is 4 losses on it, so anything less than 9 wins will feel blah.

I was done with KF after last year, but no way he gets fired. He has shown lil glimpses of getting things back to respectable.

I really hope he let's go of the reigns on offense next year. I don't know if our defense will be as solid but maybe the DL can step up

 

[imported_ankle23]

The criticism last year was deserved... just like the praise is now.

i logged in to specifically call you a clown. to criticize is one thing. what you do is totally on another level. suck it.

 

[chadfrey]

We stil were poor at half time adjustments, but we wore Nebby down. Good stuff. But this was a poor and undisciplined nebby team.

They were still wearing Fusker uniforms. Injuries and bad coaching decisions are part of football. Nebby was wounded entering this game, but how many times has Iowa been down to the third, fourth or walk on running back? One year ago we had the patchwork line. The guys wearing Hawk uniforms are still Hawks. This year, we kicked Nebraska's ***. In the fourth quarter, with a backup QB and scared to throw the ball we put 14 points on 'em and the defense played lights out.

No excuses for Nebraska. None.

But I admit, 8-4 was way out my thought process. Go Hawks.
But, I still am done with KF. Whats our defense going to look like next year after we lose 3 VG LBs. and a loss of a LT? Time will tell and I hope its a NC. Hoping Hawk fan here.

8-4 was out of my thoughts as well. I figured 6-6. I was holding firm to that one week ago today. But Iowa is 8-4 with those four coming to very good football teams. The question about the defense is legit. But that question can be answered after this season is finally over ... sometime in 2014.

I'm not done with KF. I was pretty ****** about last year — but I also believed that the hiring of a OC and DC effectively turned Iowa into the equivalence of a team filled with freshman and first-year JUCO transfers. We had guys who were there physically, but in a new system. I watched that play out at a small college here locally this year. Their big improvement? From 0-10 to 2-8.

Next year is the make or break for my opinion of the coaching staff — but it will be evaluated in the context of what players are actually on the field.

 

[Motigerhawk]

Yiu know what? When KF went after the refs and was cussing? I was stoked. A coach with emotion? Im in.

This. I love emotion in a coach. You cant tell me that doesnt excite a team.

 

[Motigerhawk]

I think our D line will be better. But can it get to the QB? Without a LB involved?
I think Our CBs will be better, and they were good this year. But without any pressure, they need to be flat out studs.
Will our safeties be better? Cant be any worse.
Will our O line be better? I hope so. We have a stable of good RBs. And they need a solid line.
Will our WRs be better? I love Tavon Smith. Why wasnt he ised more? He has speed. And hasnt shown any negative WR attributes?
I hope this staff can do it.

 

[ibahawkeye]

i logged in to specifically call you a clown. to criticize is one thing. what you do is totally on another level. suck it.

It's one thing to criticize but lil drummer boy made it clear he wanted a head coaching change.

There's a difference so don't try and change your stance by saying he deserved the criticism cuz your stance was he deserved to be fired and it was time to go a different direction.

Hell at least thunder was man enough to order himself a dish of crow.

 

[jacknicholson]

Once again I am confused about who won the game at Nebraska.....

I am uncertain that our record might be 8-4 and the four teams we lost to have a combined record of 42-3......

And people are complaining. Misery rules supreme.....

Good Luck......

 

[Motigerhawk]

Id prefer 43-7

 

[Stanzi]

Yiu know what? When KF went after the refs and was cussing? I was stoked. A coach with emotion? Im in.

Does anyone know what he was so jacked up about? It was right after the double unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on each team. They never showed what happened with the two players who were penalized. It was obvious KF didn't agree with something.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

8-4 feels great when you've knocked off Michigan and Nebraska to get there...it's great to be a Hawkeye!

 

[HawkeyeShane]

Does anyone know what he was so jacked up about? It was right after the double unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on each team. They never showed what happened with the two players who were penalized. It was obvious KF didn't agree with something.

Not sure...ESPN didn't have a camera on it...all 3 of them must have been focused on Weisman going the other way.