Can Iowa Keep Walking This Tightrope?

[NorthKCHawk]

I AM going to enjoy it, for exactly those reasons!

He's insulated, but I don't think as completely as you suggest. He knows what folks are saying, as does Brian, which is Brian said prior to the season "If this is my last year as OC, I'm okay with that." But you nailed it that wins and losses is all KF cares about in the end. He sees the Hawks competing for West Division titles every year and winning 7-9 games a year as successful. And I don't disagree with that perspective.
I do NOT think he's a visionary, and I doubt he's spent much time seriously considering what adding Oregon, Washington, UsC and UCLA to the BTen means. On the other hand, I'm not sure MN, IL, NW, NE have it any different -- going forward all those former West Division teams are going to struggle to win more than 5 BTen games in any given season.

We have been through this type of thing before at various points:

Hey Kirk, you know running a base defense where your elderly DC never calls a blitz is not going to work in modern football.

Hey Kirk, your best friend OC is a terrible playcaller and is holding you back.

Hey Kirk, using your MLB to cover a WR on the boundaries is incredibly dumb.

Hey Kirk, um, kids gotta have access to social media. Its 2019 for pete's sake.

Hey Kirk, Christensen can't hit a 5 yard crossing route. Ever.

Change is never immediate with KF.

 

[HuckFinn]

We are in the sunset of the program, fellas. It’s the truth. Enjoy it while it’s fizzling out.


KF is knowingly tanking the program. I don’t know if it’s because he really thinks his son can take over the keys, or whether he knows he can’t so he’s destroying it on purpose out of spite, but it’s one of those two things. I talked again this weekend to a couple people heavily involved with the financial side of the Swarm (one is a really big individual donor), and they both said with absolute 100% certainty that Kirk believes Brian is the next guy in charge and will not even consider the possibility. Call it stupid if you want, but none of us here have any better sources unless you can give us one.

That same donor thinks that Kirk’s ignorance to Brian’s alternate future is neurosis a la John DuPont without the murder and paranoia. Not kidding. He genuinely thinks he’s off his rocker mentally.

I’ll always love the Hawks greatly and I’ll always cheer and watch. But when LeVar Woods is taking teams to natty championship games you can bet your ass I’m wearing that team’s hoodies all year. Don’t blame me, I’ve told this board for years he should be the next guy. He’s the next Hayden, not Brain Farence.

Explain the sentence “both said KF believes BF is the next guy in charge” (I get that part) but “will not even consider the possibility“ of what? BF not being the next head coach at Iowa? Not arguing, just need clarification.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Its a source and its a theory. Could be right.

I think a big part of it is that we don't realize sometimes how absolutely insulated KF is from the rest of the world. We see it in the news, on this board, and with our neighbors. We know how 99.9% of the world sees BF. KF is too busy running a program and coaching to look at the shit we do.

Who is speaking truth to power in that building? Wasn't the last AD and I doubt the new AD will do much until the interim tag is removed. The donors? They have varying opinions I am sure, but how much face time do they really get with the Captain, and do they really have the stones to tell him to his face he needs to fire his son? Doubt it.

The other coaches? Nope. BF is too engrained. And, you don't do well in an organization by stabbing the CEO's son in the back.

While I believe we may be seeing the end of the KF run, I don't think he is tanking. I just think he is in a bubble. He sees a West Title two years ago, almost another last year, and 5-1 so far this year. Those numbers have ALWAYS been good enough for Iowa, even if the way Iowa is getting there of late is flat out embarrassing. So, keep the nose down and keep working and let the chips fall where they may.

In other words, he is not firing Brian because he does not see and hear what the rest of the world does. Its a delusion of sort, but not because he has lost it, but because he lives in a vastly different reality than the rest of us.

Well stated. I also don't think he is tanking this team. That doesn't make sense and would not help Brian get the HC job. In a bubble is a great way of stating it. His perception is different for sure. He comes from the background where a win is a win no matter what it looks like. He may be correct but it's hard to buy into when you see every other team put up over 350 yrd a game and 30pts.

 

[Hawkboys]

On the other hand, I'm not sure MN, IL, NW, NE have it any different -- going forward all those former West Division teams are going to struggle to win more than 5 BTen games in any given season.

Every single 1 of those schools would have loved a coach like Kirk running their team's programs the last 25 years. Well except NE, they would have fired him for a .300 level coach 4 years in.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

All I can do is laugh to keep from crying... We'll know soon enough this feels like it's it after this yr. He can't come back next yr. This team without total gutting of the O won't win 5 games next yr. KF knows it and he won't want to be here for that.

He'll ride this yr out win 9 games and pretend everyone won't think he's an emperor with no clothes on. Only reason they've won so much despite the O being bad is the other teams have been worse. It's not rocket science. But good bye BIG west division and hello USC, UCLA, WA, and Oregon along with playing the eastern teams more often. Fans that think 8-9 wins should be the floor for Iowa going forward will have a big time rude awakening. This yr is it for quite awhile I'm afraid. Enjoy it

Good take. For Iowa to be able to compete after the other teams come in, I think Phil needs to stay as D coordinator and they need to end up getting an offensive minded coach or an O coordinator who kicks ass with great offensive scheme. Losing Phil would be a huge hole to fill or dig out of with the landscape changing and Iowa's only chance to contend would be to get the next rising OC with a kick ass scheme. Like somebody who runs a similar offense to the 49'ers, using so many position players.

If they find that guy and pair him with Parker, it could look promising.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

We are in the sunset of the program, fellas. It’s the truth. Enjoy it while it’s fizzling out.


KF is knowingly tanking the program. I don’t know if it’s because he really thinks his son can take over the keys, or whether he knows he can’t so he’s destroying it on purpose out of spite, but it’s one of those two things. I talked again this weekend to a couple people heavily involved with the financial side of the Swarm (one is a really big individual donor), and they both said with absolute 100% certainty that Kirk believes Brian is the next guy in charge and will not even consider the possibility. Call it stupid if you want, but none of us here have any better sources unless you can give us one.

That same donor thinks that Kirk’s ignorance to Brian’s alternate future is neurosis a la John DuPont without the murder and paranoia. Not kidding. He genuinely thinks he’s off his rocker mentally.

I’ll always love the Hawks greatly and I’ll always cheer and watch. But when LeVar Woods is taking teams to natty championship games you can bet your ass I’m wearing that team’s hoodies all year. Don’t blame me, I’ve told this board for years he should be the next guy. He’s the next Hayden, not Brain Farence.

Is there any scenario in your view where Iowa hires a candidate other than LeVar Woods and the program doesn't fall completely to shit?

I have a hard time thinking Kirk is knowingly tanking the program. I think LeVar and Phil would be gone by now if that was happening.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

HE IS NOT TANKING!!!!

He is just old and stubborn.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Its a source and its a theory. Could be right.

I think a big part of it is that we don't realize sometimes how absolutely insulated KF is from the rest of the world. We see it in the news, on this board, and with our neighbors. We know how 99.9% of the world sees BF. KF is too busy running a program and coaching to look at the shit we do.

Who is speaking truth to power in that building? Wasn't the last AD and I doubt the new AD will do much until the interim tag is removed. The donors? They have varying opinions I am sure, but how much face time do they really get with the Captain, and do they really have the stones to tell him to his face he needs to fire his son? Doubt it.

The other coaches? Nope. BF is too engrained. And, you don't do well in an organization by stabbing the CEO's son in the back.

While I believe we may be seeing the end of the KF run, I don't think he is tanking. I just think he is in a bubble. He sees a West Title two years ago, almost another last year, and 5-1 so far this year. Those numbers have ALWAYS been good enough for Iowa, even if the way Iowa is getting there of late is flat out embarrassing. So, keep the nose down and keep working and let the chips fall where they may.

In other words, he is not firing Brian because he does not see and hear what the rest of the world does. Its a delusion of sort, but not because he has lost it, but because he lives in a vastly different reality than the rest of us.

One thing I've always been curious about. How big of a role, if any, did Brian have in both Davis and O'Keefe "retiring"? Were they forced retirements due to Brian chirping in Kirk's ear? Or did they possibly step down because they resented the influence Brian had and often were in disagreement with him?

 

[Fryowa]

Its a source and its a theory. Could be right.

I think a big part of it is that we don't realize sometimes how absolutely insulated KF is from the rest of the world. We see it in the news, on this board, and with our neighbors. We know how 99.9% of the world sees BF. KF is too busy running a program and coaching to look at the shit we do.

Who is speaking truth to power in that building? Wasn't the last AD and I doubt the new AD will do much until the interim tag is removed. The donors? They have varying opinions I am sure, but how much face time do they really get with the Captain, and do they really have the stones to tell him to his face he needs to fire his son? Doubt it.

The other coaches? Nope. BF is too engrained. And, you don't do well in an organization by stabbing the CEO's son in the back.

While I believe we may be seeing the end of the KF run, I don't think he is tanking. I just think he is in a bubble. He sees a West Title two years ago, almost another last year, and 5-1 so far this year. Those numbers have ALWAYS been good enough for Iowa, even if the way Iowa is getting there of late is flat out embarrassing. So, keep the nose down and keep working and let the chips fall where they may.

In other words, he is not firing Brian because he does not see and hear what the rest of the world does. Its a delusion of sort, but not because he has lost it, but because he lives in a vastly different reality than the rest of us.

He's de facto tanking the program. Whether he's conscious of it or not doesn't change that. He isn't trying to fix obvious problems.

 

[Fryowa]

Some of you are completely missing the point. We have the next HF on our staff. It's patently obvious to everyone, and it's not a hot take from me. There are national media people as well as people long associated with the Iowa football program who've said the same thing...you don't have to take my word for it.

Brian Farence will not be the head coach at Iowa. Ever. That's not the problem.

The problem is Kurt's going senile and won't believe that, and as a by product he's going to let the one dude who could save Iowa football in the style of HF go to another team in the next few years. Phil could do it, but he's said myriad times he doesn't want to. That leaves LeVar. You guys aren't understanding that.

 

[Fryowa]

Explain the sentence “both said KF believes BF is the next guy in charge” (I get that part) but “will not even consider the possibility“ of what? BF not being the next head coach at Iowa? Not arguing, just need clarification.

Correct. Bad sentence structure on my part. Sorry.

 

[Fryowa]

Is there any scenario in your view where Iowa hires a candidate other than LeVar Woods and the program doesn't fall completely to shit?

I have a hard time thinking Kirk is knowingly tanking the program. I think LeVar and Phil would be gone by now if that was happening.

He's probably not consciously doing it, but he's doing it. Not being able to see that his kid is a (relative to elite college football) bumbling idiot incapable of any job above OL coach in P5 football is going to be the downfall of Iowa FB.

Write it down, in 10 years we are going to be lamenting the day that LeVar took over [insert team here] and made them natty contenders while Brain is working as a "consultant" for a CFL team

 

[Fryowa]

HE IS NOT TANKING!!!!

He is just old and stubborn.

What he's doing is destroying Iowa football. The rest is semantics.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

He's probably not consciously doing it, but he's doing it. Not being able to see that his kid is a (relative to elite college football) bumbling idiot incapable of any job above OL coach in P5 football is going to be the downfall of Iowa FB.

Write it down, in 10 years we are going to be lamenting the day that LeVar took over [insert team here] and made them natty contenders while Brain is working as a "consultant" for a CFL team

I like LeVar too. But there is probably more than one person alive interested in and capable of doing a good job.

 

[eyekwah]

Kirk and Bill Bellicek are products of the New England Patriot system and Brian knows nothing different. Look at what is happening with New England this season and the drop off after Brady left. Then look at the NFL teams that are clearly better and the offense they utilize. The newer NFL head coaches brought the best of college football offense into the NFL. The inability to adapt to change ultimately brings down those unable to change. I think this is the last season Kirk can pull off winning on the margins.

There has been attempts to point out the weaknesses of the offensive philosophy and the coordinator/s but it hasn't sunk in and it seems there is a desperate effort to deny change is necessary by Kirk. Take Saturday, He was able to hang with Hill vs Purdue only because Iowa managed to have a lead and and hold on. If Iowa had a poor 3rd quarter I'm not sure Kirk would have pulled Hill for Labas with Iowa trailing. It was the same thing with Petris in 2022. No matter how bad it was, he hung with Petris until he broke.

There are two selling point Kirk has when recruiting for the offense, the B1G offers a national stage and the professional players coming from Iowa. Neither of those is bringing the skill players to Iowa other than tight ends. Iowa had no QB in the pipeline after Stanley and there appears to be no wide receivers that meet the need to compete. Let's be honest, Iowa isn't going to meet the goal of 25 points per game in 2023. It is up to the current interim AD to look at the future. Does she put the future of the football program in the hands of the head coach unable to recognize the need for change? Her job is on the line when it comes to hiring and firing coaches. It is a huge risk to allow things to continue as they are when the conference is becoming more difficult and funding of the athletic department may not be supported by TV revenue in 7 years. I'm glad I'm not her.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

I have to admit, even if I was in an LSD-induced bizzaro world alternate reality, I never thought I would read a sentence where John DuPont and Kirk Ferentz are paralleled in any way imaginable, even with a qualification. These posts never fail to entertain. That's some good stuff there.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I like LeVar too. But there is probably more than one person alive interested in and capable of doing a good job.

Woods may turn out

He's probably not consciously doing it, but he's doing it. Not being able to see that his kid is a (relative to elite college football) bumbling idiot incapable of any job above OL coach in P5 football is going to be the downfall of Iowa FB.

Write it down, in 10 years we are going to be lamenting the day that LeVar took over [insert team here] and made them natty contenders while Brain is working as a "consultant" for a CFL team

You have said on this Board 500 times that every HC hiring, especially a relatively young coach, is a coin flip. Yet now you can declare definitively that the Iowa Special Teams Coach is a lock to be the next great collegiate coach? Come on.

Look, I think Woods is a very good young coach and he may end up being a great HC someday, somewhere. But, there is no way you or anyone else can know that. Its an educated guess at best.

If KF steps down after this year (either by hook or by crook), there will be a lot of coaches interested in the job. Many with Iowa ties. Woods would certainly be a candidate, but I would want to see the field before I just hand the reigns to Woods.

Honestly, you wanting Woods to get the job this blindly isn't far off from KF wanting his dumb son to get the job so blindly. Maybe we should take an interview or two????

 

[Iceman]

Iowa Football Still Figuring Out Ways to Win​

Hawkeyes Among Top Big Ten Programs Since '21 Despite Dreadful Offense

LINK

Iowa is average. Big 10 west average. With a top five defense, you can squeak by with winning field position and turnover game. Someone figure out our win percentage over top 20 teams. Even better, teams with 8 or more wins at season end.

 

[trj]

There was a lane where Brian could have succeeded his father, but they(Kirk and Brian) f*cked it up 18,000 different ways.

 

[Iceman]

Look, if Iowa somehow beats Wisconsin this weekend, then we should all just shut the F up and enjoy the magic show. I don't care how light the schedule is, winning double digit football games in one college season is damn hard. I don't give a rip about style points. His system is certainly dumb to the rest of the world, but wins are wins.

Wisconsin appears to be average this year. Would beating Wiscy really make us a good team? Would beating Wiscy put us in the Big 10 champ game with a chance of scoring 10 points or getting 5 first downs? KC hawk is right, it's a magic show