Kirk is something like 26-25 the last 4yrs. Not against a juggernaut schedule either. From 2005 (10 yrs), Iowa is basically a 7-5 program with 2 outlier seasons(09/12). Kirk often makes lists of most over-paid/under-performing coaches. On the surface that's what the national media sees, but college football is ultimately a business. Iowa can boast some of the best ticket sales and attendance marks in the nation from 2002 onto today, and Kirk is a big reason for that.
That's NOT a popular sentiment right now, but it is the truth. The amount of revenue Ferentz has made the university, he is being paid accordingly IMO. His salary is OBVIOUSLY not indicative with the on field results the last 4-5 years. Iowa reaped the rewards of his earlier success(02-04), and the 09 season as well. I do strongly believe that the 2010 collapse left an incredibly sour taste in a lot of fans mouths, who rightfully so expected great things. The angst from that really seemed to carry over well into 2011, and then the 4-8 season exacerbated things greatly. I think some fans haven't gotten over 2010....and perhaps rightfully so. But Kirk also seems to fail to learn from his mistakes. He said after 2010 that he wished he used his depth more on the defensive rotation, and years later he's still up to his same tactics. Or the line...."We decided to throw downfield....because we trailed by multiple scores AND HAD TO"? There's also a litany of late game clock butchery as well each year. I think the grass is greener article failed to effectively point out his shortcomings as a HC, and reasons why the fanbase is up in arms.
Reports on ticket sales are down significantly. What exactly is the marquee home game this year? Minnesota or Pitt. Pitt??? I think people genuinely like Kirk the person. Unfortunately that's mostly the result of college football realignment coming home to roost...and giving THE FANS less bang for their buck. Kirk is in a bad situation right now. Hopefully they can circle the wagons and make a division title run, or else I feel the fan base will turn drastically against him. Although next year's home slate is FAR more attractive, I guess Barta can sell that for another year...
I'm aware that a new coach could sink the program, but THE SUPPORT HERE SEEMS TOO strong to go much further backward than the status quo 7-5. If I'm playing the KF odds here, the program with a new coach has a great shot at staying 7-5 or else has a decent shot at regularity hitting 8-9 wins. And save me the Rich Rod/Michigan talk. RR came into a fairly bare cupboard at michigan after that coaching change. Seems like he's all of a sudden remembered how to coach out in the desert.
