If Kirk retired who would you want?

Would you rather have a high-level coordinator from P4 program (e.g. Grubb), or an experienced HC from a lower-level who has had success (best case scenario: Cignetti from Indiana)?

I kind of like the experienced HC route. I think there are things unique to the HC role that can only be learned by experience. I would rather bring on someone who has already made their inexperienced HC errors.

That said, you bet on the person, regardless of the roles they have held previously. KF didn't light the world on fire at Maine, but he clearly impressed some people along the way, and that has worked out pretty well for Iowa. I also look at someone like Kevin O'Connell for the Vikings...great performance as an OC, but no HC experience. But you see that dude and you can just tell he connects with his players and can lead.

If you really want to go all-in on betting on the person, resume be damned, you probably go with Levar Woods.
 
Jay Norvell, Mark Stoops, Brett B, Chris Klieman, Tim Polasek

finding Iowa's next coach should actually be pretty easy as there is a line up around the corner of guys who have ties or are good in the Midwest. That said, not sure any of them can come in and top what the last 2 guys did, in fact, if I was a betting man, I'd bet against it.
 
Continuity
Developmental program

If that hire truly understands what has gone on the last 40+ years, then I have interest. 30-60% of your roster will be made up of Iowa guys, and you have to determine who can play and who can’t. Kirk figured it out pretty quickly and as eye rolling and nauseating as it may be, Matt Campbell has figured it out as well.

If the hire, is in-house or not, they have to understand this. You gotta spot the Cooper Dejean types, playing 8-man football in Ida Grove or whatever the f*ck, and know that he is an athlete and you can figure it out later.
 
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NCHawker said:
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AI summary:

It sounds like you're sharing a detailed analysis of Purdue football's history and current challenges. Purdue has a rich legacy of offensive innovation, earning nicknames like "The Cradle of Quarterbacks" and "Spoilermakers." Their success has often come from a strong passing game, setting them apart from other Big Ten teams that focus more on the line of scrimmage.
Joe Tiller's introduction of the spread offense in the Big Ten led Purdue to the Rose Bowl in 2000, and Jeff Brohm's dynamic offense won the Big Ten West Division title in 2022. However, when these offensive-minded coaches left, Purdue's administrators shifted to different philosophies, which didn't always work out. This pattern seems to be repeating with the recent firing of defensive-minded coach Ryan Walters, who had a 5-19 record over two seasons.
Purdue's athletic director, Mike Bobinski, emphasized the need for a winning coach, regardless of their offensive or defensive focus. Historically, Purdue has thrived by leaning into its offensive identity, ranking high in passing yards and touchdowns from 2017-22, and achieving notable upsets.
The situation at Purdue mirrors challenges faced by other programs like Wisconsin, which struggled after shifting from a power offense to an Air Raid attack under coach Luke Fickell. Similarly, Michigan faced difficulties after changing philosophies post-Lloyd Carr, but eventually found success by returning to its physical roots under Jim Harbaugh.
The key takeaway is that programs often succeed when they stay true to their historical identity. For Purdue, this means embracing their offensive strengths and building on what has worked in the past.
 
Lots of interesting thoughts here.

I've been pondering this the last couple of days. Could Lester get hired away as a head coach somewhere else? He does have experience. Maybe not this year but what if he does greatly improve our offense next year? I'm sure some other schools would take notice.
 
Fryowa said:
Wallace is trash. That'd be selling Iowa's soul making him HC or DC. Not saying it won't happen.
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I don't endorse Wallace for HC at all but I think he'd be good for DC. I think players all love him the Jack Campbells Higgins, Nick Jackson I think it'd be tough to dismiss all that he's done. He's qualified and earned a shot at DC whenever that days comes.

And of course with his new associate HC title KF favors him it. Not that will mean much when that day comes either.
 
NCHawker said:
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Yeah, when they first started

I immediately joined and have been paying $1 a month ever since

I would even pay $2 a month if necessary

The Athlete is perhaps the best covering every aspect of any sport

Of course, I had been a LongTime subscriber of the NYT for which I pay
$4 a month

Also having been getting The Washington Post for $4 a month for years

Despite all that I am a Moderate, and have always been

I am awake and a long way from woke which is a disease
 
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