I don't post very often, but at my age, when something really bothers me, I feel the need to preach to the inexperienced and naive whether it's my kids, my co-workers or fellow Hawkeye fans...to share my 50 years of wisdom, trials and tribulations so that others may learn without the same amount of pain that I've endured...My Hawkeye football memories go back pre-Hayden to the days of Frank Laterbur and Bob Commings. Memories of winless seasons....memories of the times when Iowa State was more relevant than Iowa...
As 2012 unfolds, it seems more and more fans are lining up to jump on the Fire Ferentz bandwagon. It reminds me of the same sort of posse that lined up to lynch Tom Davis when his contract was non-renewed after the 1998-99 basketball season. What followed was some of the worst basketball in Hawkeye history and unfortunate tenures of Steve Alford and Todd Lickliter. The Hawkeyes have only recently landed what appears to be a credible basketball coach with an improving and exciting program. What remains to be seen is that whether we can return to respectibility in the Big Ten and possibly the national scene. Even if the Hawkeyes can regain a nationally respected system, what certainty is there that Coach Fran will stay at Iowa and not move on to another school that has more tradition or cash. If Coach Fran is successful, you can bet he'll get about a dozen offers a day that will come with more storied traditions or more money and prestige.
If you look at Kirk's history at Iowa, it's eerily similar to Coach Davis'.
1. Coach Davis completed 13 seasons at Iowa beginning in 1986-87 and finished in 1998 -99. Coach Ferentz completed 13 seasons last year starting in fall after Coach Davis left 1999-2000. This year is his 14th season.
2. Coach Davis' teams highest Big Ten finish was a tie for second in 96-97, but went to the NCAA tournament 9 different seasons, the NIT once and only twice did not appear in the postseason. Coach Ferentz' teams highest Big Ten finish was a tie for first in 2002 and 2004. They've been to bowl games 10 of the 13 seasons.
3. Both coaches are men of integrity, compassion and lifelong commitments to the University of Iowa. Coach Davis handled his departure with class and has always maintained an outstanding relationship with the University.
While Coach Ferentz has had several offers to leave, he's remained loyal to the Hawkeyes, Iowa City and his family. While many fans complain about his salary, it seems apparent that the University of Iowa and the athletic donors have been willing to pay him to ensure his continued employment rather than lose him to another college or pro team. I'm sure everyone of those people complaining about his salary would fight to the death for the opportunity to extract the maximum salary that their employer would be willing to pay them.
I personally believe, that while I'm disappointed in the recent start, that I'll stand by Coach Ferentz as long as he'd like to coach at Iowa and I will not join the posse that wants him to be replaced.
As the saying goes...better the devil you know than the devil you don't...
A few recent examples from high profile schools include:
Rich Rodriguez - Michigan
Frank Solich / Bill Callahan - Nebraska
Gerry Faust / Bob Davie / Tyrone Willingham / Charlie Weis - Notre Dame
John L Smith - Arkansas
Foge Fazio / Paul Hackett / Johnny Majors (again) / Walt Harris / Dave Wannstadt - Pittsburgh
Joe Paterno - Penn State
In summary, we are not Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska or Penn State --- but more like the University of Pittsburgh. The odds of picking the next best thing for Iowa Football are very long and difficult. The next big thing may very well come in and behave like Steve Alford and cripple our program for years in the same way our basketball program was crippled. If it happens at schools like Nebraska, Notre Dame and other gold plated programs, it hard to believe it's nothing more than a lottery ticket to pluck the next Coach Kirk from Maine or Coach Fran from Sienna.
I was excited to see Kirk make some coaching changes this year and I think we need to be patient. While the Iowa program is a good job, it's not Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and anyone we hire will extract a similar salary and face the same hurdles that our current coaches face with fact that we can't offer some of the same luxuries, legal or otherwise that many of the blue ribbon programs offer.
Kirk's coaching tenure is kind of like my first marriage --- after 13 years, I was ready for a new wife. When it actually happened, it turned my life upside down and I still haven't recovered fully twelve years later. She left with my house, half of my money and I've never found a replacement that didn't come with more baggage that than the first one. --- Trust me...nothing good can come of this. That is all....