Evy is Iowa's greatest coach and worst A.D.
Hayden is Iowa's best recruiter and offensive mind, but got beat when he missed on QBs as the game started to change to the spread in the late 90s. He tended to forget to pack a defensive game plan and often played opposing offenses straight up, leading to big plays when he got out-schemed or out-bodied by opposing offenses.
Ferentz brought a true pro-style attack and, despite recruiting rankings, a pro-style player evaluation system to recruitment that identifies great individual players in lower tier HS leagues, allowing him to put players into the NFL that otherwise wouldn't get a look. They aren't so much developmental as they are good at identifying potential pros. Keep in mind that the Hawks that have had success in the NFL always have great measurables at the combine.
Ferentz could be Evy, if he had a little more aggression, and a little less professionalism. He plays games on offense like it is the NFL, expecting college kids to execute 10 play drives with very few mistakes. At the same time, he bets his defensive philosophy on the fact that it is difficult for college kids to execute controlled 10 play drives to score. He believes that his players are skilled (not talented, skilled) enough to do what 90 percent of other college teams cannot.
Thing is, he's mostly incorrect. 2015 was an outlier, and largely rests on the shoulders of CJB, who pretty much willed Iowa to an undefeated regular season by sacrificing his own body. The decade of average posts and podcast were correct at the time.
However, since 2015, Iowa has been recruiting at a much higher level. Players are coming here who are closer to game ready. They aren't skilled yet, but they are talented. Ferentz hasn't changed his aggressiveness to take advantage of the increased talent, so our offensive production has still been poor. If he ever lets the reigns go on offense, look out.
Hayden is Iowa's best recruiter and offensive mind, but got beat when he missed on QBs as the game started to change to the spread in the late 90s. He tended to forget to pack a defensive game plan and often played opposing offenses straight up, leading to big plays when he got out-schemed or out-bodied by opposing offenses.
Ferentz brought a true pro-style attack and, despite recruiting rankings, a pro-style player evaluation system to recruitment that identifies great individual players in lower tier HS leagues, allowing him to put players into the NFL that otherwise wouldn't get a look. They aren't so much developmental as they are good at identifying potential pros. Keep in mind that the Hawks that have had success in the NFL always have great measurables at the combine.
Ferentz could be Evy, if he had a little more aggression, and a little less professionalism. He plays games on offense like it is the NFL, expecting college kids to execute 10 play drives with very few mistakes. At the same time, he bets his defensive philosophy on the fact that it is difficult for college kids to execute controlled 10 play drives to score. He believes that his players are skilled (not talented, skilled) enough to do what 90 percent of other college teams cannot.
Thing is, he's mostly incorrect. 2015 was an outlier, and largely rests on the shoulders of CJB, who pretty much willed Iowa to an undefeated regular season by sacrificing his own body. The decade of average posts and podcast were correct at the time.
However, since 2015, Iowa has been recruiting at a much higher level. Players are coming here who are closer to game ready. They aren't skilled yet, but they are talented. Ferentz hasn't changed his aggressiveness to take advantage of the increased talent, so our offensive production has still been poor. If he ever lets the reigns go on offense, look out.
