Hawkeyes Should Look to Future
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
Well said, Rob.
It's sad reality, but there's really no point in going "All in" for any bowl game outside of the playoffs. You have to wonder how long the other bowls are even going to stay in existence. It's entirely conceivable that at some point it will be the playoffs and nothing else.
Putting younger players on the field gives the staff a chance to evaluate them in real time, but has the added benefit of giving them incentive to stick around rather than jump into the portal.
It's sad reality, but there's really no point in going "All in" for any bowl game outside of the playoffs. You have to wonder how long the other bowls are even going to stay in existence. It's entirely conceivable that at some point it will be the playoffs and nothing else.
Putting younger players on the field gives the staff a chance to evaluate them in real time, but has the added benefit of giving them incentive to stick around rather than jump into the portal.
"It's not about putting the best product on the field for your paying fans, either. Most of them would love to learn about who they may be rooting for next year."
Uh, NO. Surely you must be joking. The 'love to learn about who they may be rooting for next year' shows me your vision is blurred by writing too many 'feature' articles on 'up and coming' players!
I'm quite sure I can speak for the majority of fans (at least those willing to shell out money to attend games at Kinnick and pony up NIL money for starters), when I say I want to see 'the best product on the field' that the university can field NOW. I frankly could give a shit who starts or plays for the Hawks next year -- that will get sorted out in time, and I'll cheer for them when they take the field. And if coaches can't figure out the best players to put on the field next season after winter workouts, spring practice, and fall practice...well, we need new coaches.
"If they make mistakes, so be it. Most of them should hold up well if they're second on the two-deep, anyway." This totally contradicts your observation that injuries have played a role in Iowa not putting the pieces together this season. Backups are backups for a reason. I don't even know what to make of the 'so be it' line regarding mistakes. You've clearly given up on the season. From a fan perspective, thank goodness the players haven't.
Uh, NO. Surely you must be joking. The 'love to learn about who they may be rooting for next year' shows me your vision is blurred by writing too many 'feature' articles on 'up and coming' players!
I'm quite sure I can speak for the majority of fans (at least those willing to shell out money to attend games at Kinnick and pony up NIL money for starters), when I say I want to see 'the best product on the field' that the university can field NOW. I frankly could give a shit who starts or plays for the Hawks next year -- that will get sorted out in time, and I'll cheer for them when they take the field. And if coaches can't figure out the best players to put on the field next season after winter workouts, spring practice, and fall practice...well, we need new coaches.
"If they make mistakes, so be it. Most of them should hold up well if they're second on the two-deep, anyway." This totally contradicts your observation that injuries have played a role in Iowa not putting the pieces together this season. Backups are backups for a reason. I don't even know what to make of the 'so be it' line regarding mistakes. You've clearly given up on the season. From a fan perspective, thank goodness the players haven't.
STILLBUSTER
Well-Known Member
Also agree with every point ... BUT 
...
Take out portal and payments and restore cfb to pre 2020. KF NEVER looked forward. Self-reflection, evaluation and forward looks took place in February. He simply isn't wired that way and there is ZERO reason to believe he'll change in this area any more than when he hasn't changed in the last 25 years.
The pace of the game passing him by is quickening in the nil and portal era. At this point, the only way forward-looking evaluation as you describe it takes place is if he has a Nick Saban epiphany ...
He's old.
He's well off.
He doesn't like the state of, let alone, the direction of the game.
He is an Iowa - BIG10 - cfb legend.
People will remember and talk about what a great run he had.
People will remember and REVERE him as a Coach and, more importantly, man of integrity.
Any additional seasons he stays will only further highlight his more recent runs of mediocrity, horrific offenses, bad OL's and taint his legacy.
There is NO better time for him to retire and, if he truly gives a care about the FUTURE of Iowa football - something you are implying in your piece - he absolutely must retire after this year. It could even be a situation like Hayden and, to an extent Davis, where they have some serious input on the next guy.
How could ANY fan of IOWA be against something like that?
...Take out portal and payments and restore cfb to pre 2020. KF NEVER looked forward. Self-reflection, evaluation and forward looks took place in February. He simply isn't wired that way and there is ZERO reason to believe he'll change in this area any more than when he hasn't changed in the last 25 years.
The pace of the game passing him by is quickening in the nil and portal era. At this point, the only way forward-looking evaluation as you describe it takes place is if he has a Nick Saban epiphany ...
He's old.
He's well off.
He doesn't like the state of, let alone, the direction of the game.
He is an Iowa - BIG10 - cfb legend.
People will remember and talk about what a great run he had.
People will remember and REVERE him as a Coach and, more importantly, man of integrity.
Any additional seasons he stays will only further highlight his more recent runs of mediocrity, horrific offenses, bad OL's and taint his legacy.
There is NO better time for him to retire and, if he truly gives a care about the FUTURE of Iowa football - something you are implying in your piece - he absolutely must retire after this year. It could even be a situation like Hayden and, to an extent Davis, where they have some serious input on the next guy.
How could ANY fan of IOWA be against something like that?
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
I can't speak for Rob, but I think the point is that the old days of sacrificing your body for the pride of representing your school are going away whether we like it or not.
For the power conferences, the common goal of the players every season will be to fight like hell to be playoff eligible. Once that goal becomes unattainable, the more talented players will begin focusing upon whatever the next step is. Risking injury by playing in a meaningless bowl is not going to be part of that equation. At that point, the smart coaches will realize the importance of recruiting their own players by opening a pathway to get them on the field and selling them on the following season.
There will always be those Rudy-esque players that have that passion and want to represent the school, but the players that sniff a chance at the NFL increasingly are going to view what they are doing as a business. It's obviously already happening, but the transformation is just starting to evolve.
At some point, we are going to see a system similar to the NFL, with fee-for-service contracts and some type of salary cap to level the playing field somewhat. From a legal standpoint, there probably is no other feasible way to get control of the current NIL free-for-all.
For the power conferences, the common goal of the players every season will be to fight like hell to be playoff eligible. Once that goal becomes unattainable, the more talented players will begin focusing upon whatever the next step is. Risking injury by playing in a meaningless bowl is not going to be part of that equation. At that point, the smart coaches will realize the importance of recruiting their own players by opening a pathway to get them on the field and selling them on the following season.
There will always be those Rudy-esque players that have that passion and want to represent the school, but the players that sniff a chance at the NFL increasingly are going to view what they are doing as a business. It's obviously already happening, but the transformation is just starting to evolve.
At some point, we are going to see a system similar to the NFL, with fee-for-service contracts and some type of salary cap to level the playing field somewhat. From a legal standpoint, there probably is no other feasible way to get control of the current NIL free-for-all.
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
Personally, I am quite interested in learning about next year’s players. Especially who comes back, and increasingly, news from the transfer portal. Of course, “now” is still a powerful priority. I Club donor, season tickets football and men’s basketball…that’s me.
I agree with everything you say about being interested in who comes back, and news from the transfer portal. But the regular season doesn't end until Nov. 29 and the transfer portal doesn't open until Dec. 9. What Rob was talking about in his article was players starting to sit out the next two games during the regular season so coaches and fans could get a look at next year's players. No thank you. Dumb idea. And I can't imagine any of Iowa's NFL-bound players (Castro, Higgins, etc) going for it. But I guess we'll see.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Far be it from me to disagree with the venerable Mr. Howe, but here I go.
The best way to ensure better play in '25 is to finish off '24 strong. Recruiting, talent, NIL, transfers are all impacted by perception and momentum. We have an ancient coaching staff and are viewed, charitably, as "traditional" and uncharitably as "out of touch with the modern game." Which narrative follows Iowa into the offseason depends almost entirely upon how this season finishes up.
Iowa wins these last two games and beats an SEC team in a bowl and goes 9-4, their is some excitement going into '25. A team on the rise and continuing its consistent winning ways of late.
Iowa splits the next two games and gets blown out by Mississippi State in the Whatever Bowl and ends up 7-6. Eh? Iowa loses out? Gulp.
The coaches need to work the portal and recruit, yes. But, if I am KF I am laser focused on doing everything possible to win the next three games. I will play whomever gives me the best chance to win, and do whatever to win them. Even the meaningless bowl game. Perception matters.
The best way to ensure better play in '25 is to finish off '24 strong. Recruiting, talent, NIL, transfers are all impacted by perception and momentum. We have an ancient coaching staff and are viewed, charitably, as "traditional" and uncharitably as "out of touch with the modern game." Which narrative follows Iowa into the offseason depends almost entirely upon how this season finishes up.
Iowa wins these last two games and beats an SEC team in a bowl and goes 9-4, their is some excitement going into '25. A team on the rise and continuing its consistent winning ways of late.
Iowa splits the next two games and gets blown out by Mississippi State in the Whatever Bowl and ends up 7-6. Eh? Iowa loses out? Gulp.
The coaches need to work the portal and recruit, yes. But, if I am KF I am laser focused on doing everything possible to win the next three games. I will play whomever gives me the best chance to win, and do whatever to win them. Even the meaningless bowl game. Perception matters.
This.
I would just add this will be the most important transfer portal/NIL season for the Hawks to date. Two years ago getting McNamara and TE All from Michigan in the portal was huge from a perception standpoint, although they ended up being minimal in impact. Last year the main priority was keeping the handful of proven defensive players from jumping to the NFL -- Castro, Higgins, Harris, et al...nothing much was expected from Sullivan and WR Gill, but they've been pleasant surprises. But this next portal season will be a completely different animal and potentially much more impactful: practically the entire Offensive and Defensive lines need to be rebuilt, along with the LB and Defensive backfield corps. We're gonna need a big dose of transfer/NIL mojo ala Indiana to stay relevant next season.
No doubt that was tough to watch. That entire week leading up to that game the coaches had to have been telling him that. It looks bad on Sullivan to the extent that I'm sure he was being told you're the only scholly QB on depth chart you can't be putting yourself in harms way. Yet he took multiple shots he could've avoided. They need to sit down with him and watch film and show him at what points of plays he should be making decisions. Incompletions are better then an injury.
With so much on the line he just didn't seem to even have the thought that he should play smart out there. How is he today do we know if he's good to go next week yet?
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I had to ask myself after that UCLA debacle, "Is this kind of feeling like the end of the Hayden Fry years?". I think it does have that feeling.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
The real question is will he stay one more year just to make sure we beats the BIG 10 wins record?
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
You really have forgotten how thin things got those last couple years under HF. This season is no where near that. We still could win 8 games and go to a Florida bowl this season.
UCLA is better than their record. Not an excuse, but its true. Iowa never plays well in California.
trj
Well-Known Member
In 1997, they ended up 7-5 and no one gave a shit about the Sun Bowl, including the players. 1998 they were 3-8, the program had bottomed out and Hayden was 69 years old. Kirk is now 69 years old and this season feels very similar to ‘97 and 2025 on paper, feels like it is going to be 1998.
SCHawkeye2
Well-Known Member
Hay Man
Active Member
What's the most important move for next season? Is it coaching, the O&D lines, QB play. There's going to be many holes on this team and we really don't know what to expect from the underclassmen that haven't played much. What positions do we have the most confidence in for next season? RB, TE, WR??? So much turnover coming for the roster.
