Kirk Ferentz Answers Questions from HN Members, Part II

[RobHowe]

Part II of Rob Howe's 1-on-1 Interview with Kirk Ferentz where the Iowa coach answers questions from HN posters

https://www.hawkeyenation.com/football/kirk-ferentz-answers-questions-hn-members-part-ii

 

[bogeyman]

Thanks for using my questions Rob, appreciate it. Good interview, glad you got to do it.

 

[HawkGold]

Part II of Rob Howe's 1-on-1 Interview with Kirk Ferentz where the Iowa coach answers questions from HN posters

https://www.hawkeyenation.com/football/kirk-ferentz-answers-questions-hn-members-part-ii

He really didn't have a good answer about the passing game. It's not that simple. Overall good look into the program. More depth in disciplin would have been good due to high profile cases and past problems at Iowa that appear to be under control.

 

[Hawk90]

Thanks for asking my question Rob. I'm a little disappointed that he didn't say something about re-examining the offensive scheme. It is too easy to say that losing receivers to graduation was responsible for the degradation of the offense, at some point I would hope he would look at the numbers that have been put up since Davis arrived and think that we need to do something different on passing routes, etc.

 

[Fryowa]

I'm glad he was asked and answered the question about who calls plays. Most people know the OC calls the game, but I think it quashes a lot of speculation when Ferentz himself comes out and says that it's very rare for him to override Davis.

Unfortunately it makes me less confident in and more baffled by Greg Davis than I already was.

 

[PawkHawk1]

Great stuff, Rob. Really good read.

 

[ssckelley]

Aw crap mine didn't get asked.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

I'm glad he was asked and answered the question about who calls plays. Most people know the OC calls the game, but I think it quashes a lot of speculation when Ferentz himself comes out and says that it's very rare for him to override Davis.

Unfortunately it makes me less confident in and more baffled by Greg Davis than I already was.

He said it's rare for him to override Davis. But he also said we all sit in the same room all week...translation: he does what he knows I want. Probably no big surprise.


While I respect KFz's maturity and level-headedness, his stubbornness and narrow vision is still there. It's never been more clear that he prefers ball control to scoring.
"We could run tempo and score a few more points, but would that add to what we're trying to accomplish?". I'd hope that with an offense ranked 120th in the country scoring more points would be something you'd want to accomplish.

That said, nice job, Rob!

 

[Hawkfnntn]

His quote about personel being important but not everything seemed to be a bit of an admission about the failings at recruiting WR... He even mentioned how some of the best WRs we have were QBs to begin with.. To be a balanced offense which Iowa strives to be it takes all of the above to do their part. This year with us being light at the WR position (especially after losing Vandeberg) it just became challenging for the team to compensate. As good as our running game was they just aren't built to be so one sided. I thought he was pretty forthcoming with his answers I'm glad Rob got to have the chance to sit down with him and ask our questions. Pretty cool stuff

 

[damnfinn]

fantastic job Rob, that was one of the best KF interviews I've ever read.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

This is awesome Rob. Maybe the best insight I've seen in interview with KF

With a month of practice(more than they get at any other time all together) for the young WR's, a likely healthier CJ and Kittle, and time for pass protection work, and CJ to gell with wr's it will be interesting to see if we get an uptick in passing game.

I'll be dissappointed if we dont, and it will not help my doubts about Davis being adequate running the Offense or passing game, routes, playcalling.

 

[tksirius]

He said it's rare for him to override Davis. But he also said we all sit in the same room all week...translation: he does what he knows I want. Probably no big surprise.


While I respect KFz's maturity and level-headedness, his stubbornness and narrow vision is still there. It's never been more clear that he prefers ball control to scoring.
"We could run tempo and score a few more points, but would that add to what we're trying to accomplish?". I'd hope that with an offense ranked 120th in the country scoring more points would be something you'd want to accomplish.

That said, nice job, Rob!

^^Times a million^^

 

[lumuhawk]

Great interview Rob. I realize the questions were from the subs, but it still takes someone to get Kirk to open up and be himself. He must have felt comfortable with you.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Where's my "Have you ever sharted on the sideline?" question?


I want my money back!

 

[Playmaker]

These questions were what I expected....softballs!!! How about ONE question concerning why a National Championship has NEVER been uttered from you as a goal whilst the HC at Iowa.....and given your salary, shouldn't it be the ultimate goal?

 

[NCHawker]

The questions that were used, were posed in a professional way. They were not imbued with anger nor were they critical in tone. I can see how my question could be viewed that way.

This was a pleasure to read though. I think if I were the guy who was finally face to face with 'the man' it would be humbling. And the questions I would ask, and the way they were asked would be respectful.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

These questions were what I expected....softballs!!! How about ONE question concerning why a National Championship has NEVER been uttered from you as a goal whilst the HC at Iowa.....and given your salary, shouldn't it be the ultimate goal?

He did mention championships, conf championships. Let's start there.

 

[HuckFinn]

Not surprised about KF's answer to the question about calling plays. The most important point was that the staff as a whole develops the game plan after a lot of research and professional input from highly educated staff, and then decisions are made and implemented. Of course, someone has to summarize and make the final decisions...that has always been and should bethe head coach. Of course, as in war, after the first shots are fired, great plans typically fall apart. So, GD must be ultimately accountable.

 

[Fryowa]

He said it's rare for him to override Davis. But he also said we all sit in the same room all week...translation: he does what he knows I want. Probably no big surprise.


While I respect KFz's maturity and level-headedness, his stubbornness and narrow vision is still there. It's never been more clear that he prefers ball control to scoring.
"We could run tempo and score a few more points, but would that add to what we're trying to accomplish?". I'd hope that with an offense ranked 120th in the country scoring more points would be something you'd want to accomplish.

That said, nice job, Rob!

I agree 100%; hopefully I didn't come across as a KF apologist.

I guess what I meant in my post was that when it's 3rd and 12 and I see McCarron/Scheel/etc run a 5 yd stop route, then tell the media out of frustration that they "run the plays the way they're called," it blows my mind a little. Even though KF doesn't veto it and the buck stops with him, Greg Davis actually had think that was a smart thing to do to begin with.

I also have a hard time thinking Davis would call a play he knew would fail, so maybe at this point he's conceding to Ferentz's conservatism; who knows. Either way, stupidity or calling dumb plays because he knows it's what the boss wants, Davis isn't a guy I want trying to score points.

 

[Hawknigh]

I think the question about championships could have been asked this way. "Some coaches are always holding out the most lofty of goals, such as explicitly stating their goals to win conference or national championships, but we never seem to hear you talking that way. How come? Are you superstitious? Just conservative? Do you say it in private with captains or coaches?"