Does anyone have any faith left in KF?

[mccarthyizm]

If GD goes, and somebody younger (including BF) becomes the OC, then I still have faith that Ferentz can produce one more great season. I think he wants to go out on top, and would be very likely to step down if he could win ten games one more time. If there is no change at OC, then I think he's done. I do not believe that Ferentz is stupid, arrogant, greedy, or complacent. Based on his personality and public comments, I think he gives his coordinators too much control and is extremely hesitant to replace them. But if this stretch with GD isn't a wake up call, then he's done. I don't think Ferentz is going to be around much longer regardless, but if Iowa has a new OC next year, I believe that will be the equivalent of Ferentz admitting that a major change was needed, and we'll see some things change. So many justifiably frustrated fans want to paint Ferentz as a complete moron. I don't buy it. I think he messed up big time with GD and thought this would be the turnaround year that never was. Ferentz has very little to lose at this point. If you were in his shoes, the fan base was angry / complacent, you hadn't had a good season in five years, and you're running out of time regardless, why wouldn't you shake things up? There's no reason not to do so, unless you truly believe you have things lined up philosophically. I hold out hope that he has reached his breaking point. If I'm wrong and GD sticks around, then I am out of faith.

 

[FromFry2Ferentz]

I've been a Kirk supporter since he went 1-10 his first year and all my friends were talking smack. I said give him some time, Hayden left the cabinet dry and we need to rebuild. Well I was right, 02,03,04 all were magical seasons, but it got ugly for a while after that. We we're competitive but were losing more often than not it seemed. 08-09 were a nice boost but for the most part they didn't accomplish what we had in 02-04. The orange bowl win over GT was nice, but no BoneG titles to show for it, and Kirk gets a huge pay raise.... After the last few years its hard to support him anymore. All I see now are the missed opportunities and the many talented players who left for various reasons...

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

I have more faith in baby Jesus. Was faith the right word for this thread? I'm thinking the thread should have been titled, "Does anyone give a sh*t any more?

 

[herkytime]

Can you have negative faith? If so that's where I'm at. Have been for quite some time.

 

[MoseSchrute]

I have no faith in KF ever adopting an offensive scheme that actually tries to win the game on the offensive side of the ball. Since KF is gonna be back, the only hope Iowa has is if Brian become the OC, and drags his old man into 21st century offensive football. The kind of football that answers scoring drives with scoring drives to protect leads. The kind of football that comes out from the opening kickoff trying to score points on every possession. You know, the stuff every high school, college, and pro team has been doing now for a decade.

Why do people think Brian is qualified to be an OC? He wasn't even the most qualified OL coach when he was hired.

 

[MoseSchrute]

I, for one, keep the faith. Things are gonna turn around next year. We have some good recruits coming in. Things are setting up well with the offensive coordinator in his fourth year to get his system installed.

About the only thing I look forward to next year will be having an actual RB at the position, not a fullback.

 

[tweeterhawk]

Why do people think Brian is qualified to be an OC? He wasn't even the most qualified OL coach when he was hired.

Outside looking in, Brian Ferentz looks to be a wasted hire, a squandered opportunity to revitalize a moribund staff.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

There is ZERO hope. Next year will be worse. Look no further than O-Line. No JUCO lineman recruitment to bridge the gap in an area of super need? Wow, that is putting your head in the sand. Folks the KF system does not work without a big, physical nasty o-line period and we already know the interior is very small and weak. We just lost the best 2 pieces we had and no one behind them has any experience.

That is just one of many signs that a change must be made right now. A strong AD would see, know and do this.

 

[deanvogs]

Why do people think Brian is qualified to be an OC? He wasn't even the most qualified OL coach when he was hired.

Where did I say he was qualified? Let me give you a hint, I never said it.

We have evidence that KF will take his OC and turn them into KF lite as an OC (both KOK and GD) were neutered to such a point that they just became an extension of KF. If he goes out and hires Chip Kelly as OC that same thing would happen again. I think if he hires Brian as OC he lets Brian be Brian. I think that is our only hope of actually getting a OC who is being their own man. That is why I want Brian, not because he is qualified, but because he is the only hope that the offensive philosophy changes (Not so much the schemes, but rather actually using our offense to win, instead of just trying not to lose).

 

[hawkinn3]

Kirk ain't changing for nobody. Look at his shiny 2004 co big ten champions ring and get off his lawn.

 

[DJL]

I heard people defending him on the radio this morning. They use the "look what happened to Michigan" argument. Fear of making a bad hire IS NOT a good reason to keep a current mediocre or below coach with a top 10 salary.

 

[hockalot]

As a college student myself, Hawkeye football has always been the Kirk Ferentz way my whole life. Kirk's early success was what drew me into Iowa football. I still remember the first time he really was under the hot seat after the 0'7 season. From 0'8-halfway thru '10 was some of the most fun Iowa teams to watch. After the Wisky game thats when we went into this slump as we all know. It seemed like the Orange Bowl win will go down as Kirk's peak but at the time everyone thought it could possibly grow, heck 2010 JM picked Iowa to win the National CHampionship, crazy to think of where we are now. Right now is the hottest the seat has ever been for him. Since I grew up with Kirk thru the good and bad I still hold on to the belief he has one more turnaround for the Hawks. Next season is the make or break for me and Kirk, I hope to see him ride off to retirement with success but in order for that to happen GD needs to go. Anyone think Kirk has one more trick up his sleeve to turn us around again?

Not all of us are young like you. A person can get old and die waiting for that one more trick up the sleeve. I would rather not wait for tricks, I want solid. You don't have to feel embarrassed about firing KF. After all, we have turned him into one of the richest men in America.

 

[trj]

I heard people defending him on the radio this morning. They use the "look what happened to Michigan" argument. Fear of making a bad hire IS NOT a good reason to keep a current mediocre or below coach with a top 10 salary.

Or it becomes the "Tom Davis" argument. Either argument I just roll my eyes. If you feel a coaching change needs to be made you can't let fear hold you back.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Nope. None. Zero. Zip. Nada. I'm done with Ferentz. I'm convinced his best days are behind him. Simple as that. Would love to be wrong, but it's been 5 years since Iowa has finished a season ranked. That's not just a valley between the peaks anymore. It's stagnation.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Or it becomes the "Tom Davis" argument. Either argument I just roll my eyes. If you feel a coaching change needs to be made you can't let fear hold you back.

Ah, except I would argue that Ferentz is no longer even producing Tom-Davis like results.

TD's last 4 years:

1995-96: 6 seed in NCAA's
1996-97: 2nd place Big Ten finish and close second round loss to UK (underseeded at 8 IMO)
1997-98: NIT
1998-99: Sweet 16

What has KF done the last 4-5 years?

So IMO the "remember Tom Davis" argument no longer applies.

 

[ibahawkeye]

I'm not sure I can use the word faith because I don't know that he can turn this thing back around.

However, I'm smart enough to understand Kirk isn't going anywhere after this year so I'm hanging on to hope that we can make a change at the OC spot and that will create at least a little excitement for some fans and hope the change will make a positive impact on the product that we see on the field.

 

[djwoody98]

No faith in Ferentz. No faith in Barta. It's clear that Norm Parker was the wizard behind the curtain that was Iowa Football.

 

[QuadCityHawkeye]

It's been waning for several years. Last year brought some back but now it's totally gone. I don't think he can bring the program back to more then 6-8 win seasons from now on. Things just seem to be getting stale.

 

[hawkinn3]

I heard people defending him on the radio this morning. They use the "look what happened to Michigan" argument. Fear of making a bad hire IS NOT a good reason to keep a current mediocre or below coach with a top 10 salary.

Exactly, and if the next guy stinks you fire him and get somebody else. Any program is never more than 3 years away from turning things around, you get talent in and you will be a better team. One bad hire will not doom us to being bad for decades.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Exactly, and if the next guy stinks you fire him and get somebody else. Any program is never more than 3 years away from turning things around, you get talent in and you will be a better team. One bad hire will not doom us to being bad for decades.

Agree totally. And we all saw where the program was when Kirk took over, and how quickly he got it turned around. 1999, one win. 2002, Iowa ran the table and went to the Orange Bowl. Nuff said. Get the right guy in here and it wouldn't be an issue.

My real fear is the people who would be making the new hire. I expect we'd end up hiring some coach from the MAC that can't recruit, and the spiral would continue. That, IMO, is why a total house cleaning is needed, not just KF.