Coaching up or talent

[tomhawk80907]

As things stand right this minute we have more players drafted than all but a couple of schools. It begs the question of, is it coaching or does Iowa really get better athletes than people think.

Will this years draft put that age old slam that we don't get the top talent to rest or are we just too easy of a target to hang that argument on us.

 

[trj]

The use of the word "athleticism" can be a slippery slope sometimes....I want to say both, but gun to my head I would say coached up. I know that KF and his staff like kids who participated in mutiple sports in high school which indicates athleticism/talent, but look at so many kids that come here ended up switching positions and ended up being "coached up". I am starting to ramble now, it is a tough question for me to answer

 

[tm3308]

The use of the word "athleticism" can be a slippery slope sometimes....I want to say both, but gun to my head I would say coached up. I know that KF and his staff like kids who participated in mutiple sports in high school which indicates athleticism/talent, but look at so many kids that come here ended up switching positions and ended up being "coached up". I am starting to ramble now, it is a tough question for me to answer

I definitely think that we find better athletes than we're given credit for. But that said, a lot of the time as football players (particularly guys who switch positions), they are a little on the raw side, and this staff polishes them up so that their athleticism can really shine.

 

[switch351]

I think it's a combination of both. We have a staff that finds a lot of underrated players, diamonds in the ruff if you will, and they are also excellent coaches.

 

[theboat]

I think it's a combination of both. We have a staff that finds a lot of underrated players, diamonds in the ruff if you will, and they are also excellent coaches.

+1.
I think that one of the big reasons that we have guys that other people may miss on is that our coaches use their own expertise and knowledge, not some recruiting website. I think the Zooks of the world will recruit someone just based on their stars and that is not always going to work out well.

 

[spudhawk]

I like trj's point about how Iowa recruit's players that play multiple sports. Maybe some of them don't participate in some of the recruiting combines or what have you and so they don't get evaluated as closely. I also think our in state recruits aren't evaluated closely by the scouting services like a lot of small states. But all of these guys who were drafted were 3* or above except for Spievey on Scout.

 

[HawKCP]

I think we've got a coaching staff that has a vision for the type of program that they want to have and they recruit, coach, etc. according to that vision. Oftentimes you have staffs and fans that put too much stock into physical talent and play calling...when in reality the biggest difference can be made by having guys who are mentally tough...hard workers...and smart...and follow a vision and a plan accordingly.

There are a lot of benefits to running this type of program. While thuggish guys with loads of physical talents and fast 40 times might be more attracted to a program like Miami had in the 90s...a program like ours attracts a different kind of guy...as evidenced by this year's recruiting class having all kinds of academic honors and something like the Gentleman of the Year in the state of Maryland or something. I think it's the same way with Tom Brands and the wrestling program...there just wasn't another coach in the NCAA that Brent Metcalf was going to wrestle for...even if it meant giving up a year of eligibility to do so.

 

[GhostofBTT]

Just about all of the guys we drafted were highly regarded recruits. Bulaga and Moeaki were seriously blue chippers, and Calloway and Edds were four stars. Angerer is the only one who was really coached up to high potential.

 

[bowenfan]

HawKCP hit the nail on the head. KF & Co. have developed a culture of winning. They develop talent, and put young men in a position to succeed, by maximizing their God given talent, and helping them to see where it can best be utilized for the benefit of the team. It is a win win scenario where the young men help themselves by becoming a part of the team. It is the whole being more than the sum of its parts. All the players have to do is be open to instruction, willing to listen to expertise, and apply those teachings in game situations and individual matchups. They develop men, not just players.

 

[mccarthyizm]

Personally, I think the descriptors, "well coached/ hard working" are extremely overblown. While I definitely agree that Iowa's players are probably better coached and managed than most, I still think raw talent plays a much bigger role than most people, including some Iowa fans, want to admit.

For example, Bob Sanders was a freak. Yes, his 40 time improved dramatically while at Iowa, but his success is not just a product of will and determination. There are probably thousands of football players out there with the will and determination to work just as hard as he did. Virtually none of them have any hope of equalling his results.

I think the reality is that Iowa's staff does a great job finding under the radar athletes. I also think they tend to avoid obvious head cases. In turn, you have a lot of motivated athletes under one roof. Couple that with excellent coaching and the results speak for themselves.

The NFL is where "hard working" and "well coached" go to die. They're just not nearly enough. Yes, most standout NFL players are hard workers and well coached, but that doesn't begin to account for the freakishly elite level of athleticism required to succeed at that level.

 

[troy]

both coaching and talent

 

[Hawkjammer]

It is obvious the big difference is that Iowa has better cheerleaders.

Go HAWKS!!!

 

[tomhawk80907]

Personally, I think the descriptors, "well coached/ hard working" are extremely overblown. While I definitely agree that Iowa's players are probably better coached and managed than most, I still think raw talent plays a much bigger role than most people, including some Iowa fans, want to admit.

For example, Bob Sanders was a freak. Yes, his 40 time improved dramatically while at Iowa, but his success is not just a product of will and determination. There are probably thousands of football players out there with the will and determination to work just as hard as he did. Virtually none of them have any hope of equalling his results.

I think the reality is that Iowa's staff does a great job finding under the radar athletes. I also think they tend to avoid obvious head cases. In turn, you have a lot of motivated athletes under one roof. Couple that with excellent coaching and the results speak for themselves.

The NFL is where "hard working" and "well coached" go to die. They're just not nearly enough. Yes, most standout NFL players are hard workers and well coached, but that doesn't begin to account for the freakishly elite level of athleticism required to succeed at that level.

I think the last paragraph sums up my thoughts. At the next level you have to have some serious athletic skills coupled with the effort b/c everyone is working hard or they're gone. Probably won't change the image the talking heads pin on our players again next year but should we continue to produce nfl talent along the lines we did this year surely that image will have to change a tad.

 

[hwkfans]

"Do you want to play on Sundays? Then come to Iowa."
Sounds like a good recruiting line to me