Kirks biggest weakness.........
- Thread starter BigD
- Start date
I'd say his biggest weakness is/was his blind spot for Brian. That's a hire that shoulda never happened. Let alone have kept him on staff as long as he did. Forcing the administration and the new AD to make that move is just headscratchingly embarrassing.
It never should've gotten to that point. BF/KF shoulda seen the writing on the wall either of the 2 previous yrs and had BF leave for a different job. The fact they forced Beth/adminsitration to have to make a public firing over it is just wild to me. They coulda done that behind the scenes and allowed BF to leave with his dignity for lack of a better word. Instead the Ferentzs come off as stubborn and selfish. Kf totally just reinforced the whole nepotism angle of it all. That to me will always be on his record.
It never should've gotten to that point. BF/KF shoulda seen the writing on the wall either of the 2 previous yrs and had BF leave for a different job. The fact they forced Beth/adminsitration to have to make a public firing over it is just wild to me. They coulda done that behind the scenes and allowed BF to leave with his dignity for lack of a better word. Instead the Ferentzs come off as stubborn and selfish. Kf totally just reinforced the whole nepotism angle of it all. That to me will always be on his record.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
That was a real cracker jack of an article. KF's weakness is his approach to offense? No! Really? Yawn. National click bait that Zain drafted on the toilet.
I agree with fnntn that KF had a blindspot for his dopey kid, but that was purged out and I believe that KF has genuinely turned a corner in seemingly turning over the reigns completely to Lester to build the offense of his choosing. KF's OC has either been his best friend, kid, or the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock for closing in on 3 decades. An OC with his own voice could create a revolution in IC. Imagine an offense that can consistently score 25 points??????
I agree with fnntn that KF had a blindspot for his dopey kid, but that was purged out and I believe that KF has genuinely turned a corner in seemingly turning over the reigns completely to Lester to build the offense of his choosing. KF's OC has either been his best friend, kid, or the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock for closing in on 3 decades. An OC with his own voice could create a revolution in IC. Imagine an offense that can consistently score 25 points??????
NCHawker
Well-Known Member
Zane's article was just providing content, of any quality. Too bad he didn't dig very deep.
The author https://x.com/zainbando99
The author https://x.com/zainbando99
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
I have argued in other threads that a big reason Iowa's defense was so good was its offense was so bad. Meaning, opposing OCs knew they only needed to score 17 points to beat Iowa, and Iowa's offense was so bad they could not score 2 touchdowns without help. So, opposing offenses were ultra conservative in trying not to give the ball away or taking chances. So, that led to Iowa's D appearing to be so dominant statistically. It was a constant fight in a phone booth.
Being in the stinky West helped a lot too.
And, Parker is a damn good DC as well.
NCHawker
Well-Known Member
For '22 and '23, the answer is Cooper Dejean.
Exactly. And the programs that we've played against in the conference forever knew that better then everyone. Iowa's 'style' and lack of explosive ability just forces teams to play in a phone booth. So the good/smart coached teams will embrace that. No reason to go for it for 4th and 2 from midfield when they can punt it put Iowa inside the 10 and know they'll get it right back where they were or close to it. Just do to Iowa what Iowa tries to do to them.
What gets other teams in trouble against Iowa is they play impatiently. Especially in the 2nd half of close games. They take risks they shouldn't/might not normally do. Then they make mistakes and any mistake you make against Iowa that's when Iowa takes advantage. There's just so many examples of it it's unreal.
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
Kirk is not an offensive strategy guy. He's schemed his entire team to play defensive football. The overall strategy was to make the opposing offense start each series with as much of the field ahead of them as possible. The offense was schemed towards trying to execute high percentage plays. Don't beat yourself. Don't outsmart yourself. Outplay your opponent in the trenches and create overmatches, mismatches, holes in the coverage.
When the opposing team stops the offense, don't take big chances. Have a really good punter and punt coverage. Lean on the D. I would say Iowa's offense has been best between their own 40 and the red zone, relative to what they aren't so good at. Red zone passing, has been a consistent problem. Getting out of their own red zone has also been a perennial issue. I think Kirk is more comfortable with punting out of his own end zone, than running his offense inside his own 20.
The defense has been the real deal most of the time Kirk has been here. They frustrate and exploit opposing offenses, creating opportunities and erasing mistakes.
You can almost pencil Iowa in at finishing somewhere in the range of 4th through 7th in the Big Ten, occasionally above, rarely below. To get any better, Iowa needs to have a much better offensive mind on that side of the ball.
When the opposing team stops the offense, don't take big chances. Have a really good punter and punt coverage. Lean on the D. I would say Iowa's offense has been best between their own 40 and the red zone, relative to what they aren't so good at. Red zone passing, has been a consistent problem. Getting out of their own red zone has also been a perennial issue. I think Kirk is more comfortable with punting out of his own end zone, than running his offense inside his own 20.
The defense has been the real deal most of the time Kirk has been here. They frustrate and exploit opposing offenses, creating opportunities and erasing mistakes.
You can almost pencil Iowa in at finishing somewhere in the range of 4th through 7th in the Big Ten, occasionally above, rarely below. To get any better, Iowa needs to have a much better offensive mind on that side of the ball.
BigD
Well-Known Member
You also have to give credit to the defensive line for putting enough pressure on the QB to have to unload the ball or take a sack. Any QB worth his oats will complete a high percentage of passes if he has forever to measure out is receivers.
Dejean is very talented and quick both body, mind, and spirit, but he was just a part of the total sum of parts that works together to make the defense good. He has his zone to cover, but there are several defensive zones assignments on every play. Parker is a master Ninja DC.
That pick six was awesome to see in the Super Bowl!!!
BigD
Well-Known Member
Yes, I am sure Brian has some of that gum still stuck to the bottom of his shoes till this day. Good thing Kirk doesn't chew doggy dodo.
BigD
Well-Known Member
Excellent summation of Kirk's reign. You could have also included............ Hope for a lot of seasons where you don't to have play Michigan or Ohio State.
Could probably throw Oregon, USC, and UCLA at UCLA on that list. At home would we beat Bruins and leave them in bRUINS.
