oifdeserthawk
Well-Known Member
I promise you I understand "where Iowa is" better than you could ever dream of "understanding". I have forgotten more about Iowa athletics in 26 years, than you will ever know.
Look, either you understand where Iowa is...or you don't. Iowa USED to be great....and could be great again - there is no question. But the program is a mess. You have to get a coach who is willing to see what it could be....not what it is. Recruiting is going to be very tough for the next coach. It's a football school for one thing...and in a conference that is very tough every year.
I have been listening over and over about how there is no way Iowa can hire a mid-major coach....but now Barbee is the hot name? Please. Now an assistant coach? Ok fine - but it's not exactly Bruce Pearl is it?
The job is not a good job right now and not many want it. It can be good again - but you have to find the guy who is willing to work hard to make it that way. Ben Jacobson would be a great hire...but you don't like his style....fine. But remember - his style wins in the Big 10 and his style is like the Iowa Football program.
You seem to like Kirk's approach a whole lot....Ben is very similar.
I suppose you could say "its a football school" NOW, but it wasn't the case when Alford took over. Iowa could be just like Ohio St, Florida,etc....not talent wise, but in the sense that both sports are equally good. I guess I just don't buy that argument.
It was probably a football school then too...it just had a basketball team that made the tournament regularly.
There are few true 'basketball schools' IMO. KU, Indiana, UNC from the major conferences.
Its hard to call Michigan State a basketball school when their football program brings in far more money...KU football brings in more money than KU basketball, for that matter...
What makes a school a 'football school' or a 'basketball school'? that would be tough to define.
Marquette is a hoop school..so is Villanova.
Matt,
I've gotten the feeling this week that a good number of Iowa fans realize the challenges that the new coach is going to face with this job. I think we all realize that it's no where close to where it once was, which was a relevant Top 30 program for nearly a quarter century before Alford arrived in 1999.
However, throwing out the 'what if Jacobsen would turn Iowa down' is akin to playing with matches
Maybe controversial, but what if?
Ben didn't grow up in Iowa...didn't grow up dreaming of the Hawks. I would take the Minnesota job over Iowa if I were Jacobson
Maybe controversial, but what if?
Ben didn't grow up in Iowa...didn't grow up dreaming of the Hawks. I would take the Minnesota job over Iowa if I were Jacobson
On behalf of HawkeyeNation, I hope Minnesota makes you an offer, Matt!
On behalf of HawkeyeNation, I hope Minnesota makes you an offer, Matt!
Jon,
Does KXNO require periodic drug testing? This Perrault might be due. He's got to be on something.
On behalf of HN, I hope sportstalkmatt cancels his account here and never offers his $.02 again...
I stopped reading his post when he said he was giving his "educated opinion".