Dear Kirk

[deanvogs]

Exactly.

The clock and downs were managed CORRECTLY by the coaching staff yesterday. For a change. You can make a case for the spike option but it's a push at best, due to the tradeoff: losing a down, and giving the defense time to react. As PC says, worth debating but not criticizing.

Meyer, by contrast, blew a full 38 seconds in the closing seconds. More egregious than anything I've seen from KF - and there are plenty to choose from.

This is not a clock management mistake, it is a clock management strategy. I totally acknowledge there are many advantaged to clocking the ball. In this situation I don't find a single advantage in doing so. Those who claim it is a mistake won't even acknowledge the several advantages that NOT clocking the ball on that drive.

1) We practice this all the time like CJB said and have plays ready for the situation.
2) The defense can't substitute, and it is much harder and riskier to dial up a blitz when the ball isn't clocked
3) We didn't have to score a TD, we only needed 5-10 more yards to get into FG range.
4) We ran 4 plays without clocking the ball.

Not one naysayer yet has even tried to make the claim that we would have had time to run MORE THAN 4 PLAYS had we clocked that ball. There is a 0.0001% chance that by clocking that ball that the O then could have run 5 plays instead of 4 to get a game winning kick in. So I ask, what is the advantage of clocking the ball if you get 0 more plays run in that time????

 

[RocknRollface]

The right move is to clock it. I really can't believe people are arguing otherwise.

You want to save as much time as possible while trying to get as close as possible.

Time is ultimately your most important commodity in that scenario.

Number of plays does not directly correlate to number of yards.

You can just as easily run 3 plays for 0 yards.

 

[Hawk10k]

Tate to Holloway would not have happened if we stopped the clock. The CJB scramble may not have happened if we let Narduzzi organize his Defense. We won.

How about this for a Dear Kirk letter:

Dear Kirk, thanks for changing and making Hawkeye Football fun again.

Agreed. The fact that this thread even exists is disappointing. Kirk clearly has the eye of the tiger now and the Hawks have managed to defeat 3 very game teams. Why bicker over one detail that may or may not have been a coaching mistake?

 

[NCHawker]

No spike? Blame the QB.

/thread

 

[HawkeyesWin]

I find it incredible that so many are willing to overlook a clock management mistake simply because it didn't cost us. The same scenario did cost us against Wiscy in 2010. Don't let the fact that we won shade your eyes from the truth.

Look, Iowa has played really well these first 3 games and, as others have said, just the fact that we didn't kneel down for OT is a big improvement. However, these clock management mistakes can and will come back to haunt you. We saw it just last week with no points at the end of the half at ISU.

If you are dead set on being miserable then cheer for the clones. This was a great win for us.

 

[Knight78]

You just got to let it be champ. Some fans are only concerned with the win. The fact is this game was very similar to the 2005 Cap 1 Bowl. Poor clock management nullified by one incredible individual, low percentage play.

After that game, most people were not concerned with poor clock management. They were consumed with the great play that won the game and you would have been attacked in a similar manner bringing it up then just as you are now. They didn't realize then what many do now, that poor clock management by KF has cost Iowa dearly. But the euphoria of a dramatic win covers the underlying problem that still exists.

And problem with that line of thinking is that its hard to rely on incredible plays, low percentage plays to win. Its much easier to rely on effective clock management that puts teams in situations in which incredible individual plays are not needed to win a game.

Actually, it reminded me more of the Iowa St game last year except our role was reversed. Last year, we called a time out just before the ball as snapped and the kicker booted the ball anyway but missed... kind of a "practice swing" if you will. Then, after the time out, the kicker (with a second chance) drilled the FG for the win. Last year it was Iowa St's kicker, this year it was ours.

 

[HomerChampless]

But why go with the musician instead of the NFL GM.
Odd choice. Maybe someone should start a thread to over examine this choice.
In hindsight your choice may have worked out, but I don't agree with it.
I totally would have gone with the Grandfather NFL GM.
So that means it was the exact wrong response.

I think we need to fire Homerchampless. He has such a history of wrong responses.
This latest wrong response could have cost us the thread, though it didn't.

My dad was athletic. His family was athletic. My dad's family taught my dad about sports. His friends were athletic. My dad taught me many things about sports. (Some of) my friends were athletic. I knew about clock management long before any coach.

I'd say my "history of wrong responses" flies in the face on some of my responses that were against many other posters on this board. I agree, I don't necessarily agree with everyone else on this board. That, IMO, is the issue, here. Isn't that the case jester? I am seldom wrong on football, however.

And good ***, KF and his staff needs to work on clock management. I suggest his staff takes some time, during practice, to execute, execute, execute clock management.

There are more chances a kicker will make a 40+ yard field goal than a 50+ yard field goal. By clocking the ball at least once, that gives a competent clock management staff the ability to call a play (or two) to test the end zone, for example. An incomplete pass (clock) stops the clock. A first down recycles the downs and also stops the clock.

Is it more likely CJ learned to call time out after that last run from his history in sports or from the Iowa staff? I think you could answer that one.

 

[HomerChampless]

Yep, I see what you are saying, but disagree in the fact that stopping the clock and burning a down does anything for us besides taking away a down.

Your whole argument is that by stopping the clock it will automatically mean the offense will get more yards. I just don't see it that way. Running more plays, for the most part, leads to more yards.

Can't you see the fallacy in your logic? Running more plays leads to more yards unless there's a sack, for example. I agree. Clocking the ball provides more plays because the clock is stopped from an incomplete forward pass. You do understand a first down needs to be gained to recycle the downs and further stop the clock?

The coaching staff has to deliver in that play calling, though. On time in a 'tense' atmosphere.

 

[HomerChampless]

I was pleasantly thinking about Iowa's success in driving the field to score that final time against Pitt.

Even with Stanzi as QB against Wisconsin, for example, Iowa was pathetic in the same type of situation. I think Stanzi was sacked 3 of 4 possessions that last Iowa drive.

Iowa has a quick strike offensive ability that I don't think Iowa under KF (you) has ever had unless you think of Iowa against Pitt in KOK's last year. I also bitterly remember KF (you) poo-pooed any further appearances of Iowa's hurry up offense in a press conference later that season.

 

[lightning1]

I've been as negative about the team and coaching staff as anyone but I don't see how we can afford to nit pick ANY win we get! I'll take 9 more just like it. Remember, 2009 had it's share of bone headed play calls and last minute Ws.

 

[JonDMiller]

So, OK, Kirk may not be an elite clock manager.

So......what? What are you going to do about it? Or rather, what can be done about it.

Here is your answer: Not a damn thing is going to be done about it, not by you or any fan. So to ***** and moan so vociferously about something you have absolutely no impact on, seems pretty pointless.

 

[HomerChampless]

OK, don't backslide, then.

 

[proudhawkfan21]

OK, don't backslide, then.

Until you have coached...until you have coached at a level where the stakes are high...you are allowed to have opinions..but not to be smug and self-righteous. It screams childish and arrogant. I have coached in a high expectation mid sized iowa football program...and to think that you could have perfection in 60 minutes you are flat out crazy. In grading EXCELLENT high school football players most end up with a negative score. It's a difficult game. Multiple mistakes are taking place on EVERY play. To take it a step forward...managing kids...situations...rules...time...its easy to sit back and say you did this wrong you did that wrong. Unless you are talking Derrell bevel super bowl mistake wrong save it. Kirk and his staff are human. Good humans. Good teachers. Good men. If they were perfect they wouldn't be coaching iowa. Bottom line....coaching a college football game is chaos and our program has won a lot of games the right way. Kudos to the staff for looking at itself and committing to excellence.

 

[GesterHawk]

My dad was athletic. His family was athletic. My dad's family taught my dad about sports. His friends were athletic. My dad taught me many things about sports. (Some of) my friends were athletic. I knew about clock management long before any coach.

I'd say my "history of wrong responses" flies in the face on some of my responses that were against many other posters on this board. I agree, I don't necessarily agree with everyone else on this board. That, IMO, is the issue, here. Isn't that the case jester? I am seldom wrong on football, however.

And good ***, KF and his staff needs to work on clock management. I suggest his staff takes some time, during practice, to execute, execute, execute clock management.

There are more chances a kicker will make a 40+ yard field goal than a 50+ yard field goal. By clocking the ball at least once, that gives a competent clock management staff the ability to call a play (or two) to test the end zone, for example. An incomplete pass (clock) stops the clock. A first down recycles the downs and also stops the clock.

Is it more likely CJ learned to call time out after that last run from his history in sports or from the Iowa staff? I think you could answer that one.

Satire is not your strong point is it?

 

[GesterHawk]

Can't you see the fallacy in your logic? Running more plays leads to more yards unless there's a sack, for example. I agree. Clocking the ball provides more plays because the clock is stopped from an incomplete forward pass. You do understand a first down needs to be gained to recycle the downs and further stop the clock?

The coaching staff has to deliver in that play calling, though. On time in a 'tense' atmosphere.

But what if your hypothetical sack happens after the clocking? Then it it 3rd and how long? Are we going to clock it again? Then it is 4th and how long?

 

[deanvogs]

Until you have coached...until you have coached at a level where the stakes are high...you are allowed to have opinions..but not to be smug and self-righteous. It screams childish and arrogant. I have coached in a high expectation mid sized iowa football program...and to think that you could have perfection in 60 minutes you are flat out crazy. In grading EXCELLENT high school football players most end up with a negative score. It's a difficult game. Multiple mistakes are taking place on EVERY play. To take it a step forward...managing kids...situations...rules...time...its easy to sit back and say you did this wrong you did that wrong. Unless you are talking Derrell bevel super bowl mistake wrong save it. Kirk and his staff are human. Good humans. Good teachers. Good men. If they were perfect they wouldn't be coaching iowa. Bottom line....coaching a college football game is chaos and our program has won a lot of games the right way. Kudos to the staff for looking at itself and committing to excellence.

Well said. The staff and team got the freaking job done and all some want to Biotch about is one play clocking the ball. Keep in mind they ran 4 plays with 23 seconds not clocking it.....and some pretend that they could have run 5 plays with 21 seconds if they clocked the ball. LOLOL at those who think you can run 5 plays in 21 seconds with 1 TO. The staff got the maximum amount of plays they could have with the time remaining, but it still ain't good enough for some.

 

[RocknRollface]

So, OK, Kirk may not be an elite clock manager.

So......what? What are you going to do about it? Or rather, what can be done about it.

Here is your answer: Not a damn thing is going to be done about it, not by you or any fan. So to ***** and moan so vociferously about something you have absolutely no impact on, seems pretty pointless.

I've never understood this idea.

Isnt the point of a message board to disscus/debate sports?

It's all pointless.

 

[PCHawk]

Well said. The staff and team got the freaking job done and all some want to Biotch about is one play clocking the ball. Keep in mind they ran 4 plays with 23 seconds not clocking it.....and some pretend that they could have run 5 plays with 21 seconds if they clocked the ball. LOLOL at those who think you can run 5 plays in 21 seconds with 1 TO. The staff got the maximum amount of plays they could have with the time remaining, but it still ain't good enough for some.

Not clocking it cost them 6 or 7 seconds which is enough time to run 1 more play. There is no debating that. The question is, is it worth losing 1st down to give yourself enough time to run that 1 extra play. With the amount of time left I think Kirk made the right decision. If there were 10 seconds less on the game clock, you would have to clock it.

 

[HomerChampless]

I've never understood this idea.

Isnt the point of a message board to disscus/debate sports?

It's all pointless.

See. This board isn't about the free flow of ideas. It's about the free flow of certain ideas.

What I can't figure out, it seems to me winning isn't the number one goal of each Iowa fan.

 

[trj]

I made this post before Koehn's 57 yard miracle kick...

However with better preparation we could have gotten a 47 yard kick instead of a 57.


Kirk is the absolute worst Div 1 or NFL coach I've seen far and away at time management.

It's nice that it didn't cost us this time... but it didn't change the reality.

If you watch enough football, you will realize KF isn't the only one. In KF's defense I am amazed at how many coaches struggle with this. Given the amount of time situational football is practiced you would think it would be better.