Ranking Iowa Football Coaches over past 60 years

L

longtimer

Well-Known Member
Could go back to Jones and Anderson but i thought I would start with the one many think is #1 in Iowa history Evy.

But i will start my list with the worst in the last 60 years.

Frank lauterbur FXL was coach my early years at the University and fielded some really bad teams 0-11 gets you fired quickly
Bob Cummings (not the actor) High school to Big Ten and it showed. Only reason I don't have him lower is that first Iowa State game. Second one wasn't quite as good
Jerry Burns Great offensive mind but just not a head coach Went on to have good career with Vikings
Ray Nagel Lot of Charisma could recruit. His fights with AD Evy and Black boycott killed him

Next 3 really could all be number one
Evy I put in 3rd. He was a great coach in a different time and we were National championship caliber. He bought some really good players (Willie Flemming from Ohio) and had a great run at Iowa. then became AD and really hurt the program which is partially the reason for his rank

Ferentz number 2. He has had a great run at a school which is difficult to recruit. Won championships and been consistent. Regardless of the current law suit I think has run a class program and is a class guy. I am a fan

Hayden Fry No he didn't win a National Championship and his Rose Bowls were forgettable but he took a program that had 20 years of non winning seasons and made football at Iowa fun again. Iowa is a team that has great support in Iowa but is also a Nationally recognized program. PS Fry had maybe one of the best assistant football staffs ever assembled

One final comment. Fry stayed to long which was maybe his only big mistake. Hopefully Ferentz doesn't do the same. I'm just worried that his Offensive Coordinator may be the end
 
Hayden Fry is so far above the realm of any other coach in Iowa history it isn't even funny. Kirk Ferentz will be the first to agree on that. None of them compare even a little. Not Evy, not Ferentz.

Hayden Fry is responsible for every bit of culture, the Iowa developmental mindset, and making Iowa football what it is today for both fans and players. Listening to LeVar Woods, Kirk Ferentz, and any number of guys who played for him talk about what he did for the program and as players/coaches individually is awe-inspiring. Those guys will tell you that Hayden's the goat and made them into what they've become.

Go walk around in any state in America or just about any country in the "western" world with a Tigerhawk on your clothes and someone will point and say, "Hawkeyes!" Hayden Fry made that happen. Iowa using the Steelers unis because he wanted guys to be winners? Doesn't get more outside the box than that. Hayden Fry got up on the podium in front of all the cameras in Iowa City and told people he was going to make a winning football team and he did. He didn't say he was hoping to, or that he was going to try his best, he said it was going to happen, no questions asked. And he did it.

There's no debating who the greatest coach is. Zero.

The only thing you can do is argue about where to put the rest of them.
 
Man, I always wondered how it would have ended up if Evy coached more years. He created a national power in short time and I have no reason he couldn't have built off that and sustained it. He could have very well topped this list. Nobody knows.

To counter Fryowa's point, I'll play what if. What if Evy would have stayed at Iowa and had successful years going into the 70's and Iowa didn't have the 20 non winning (under .500) seasons prior to Fry. Fry deservedly deserves the accolades of bringing Iowa back and getting to the Rose Bowl, but if Iowa didn't completely suck so bad before for so long for so many other coaches, it prob isn't as significant. Fry got Iowa to the Rose Bowl 3 times but didn't get a win.

Evy got Iowa to the Rose Bowl twice and won both times in 9 seasons, this including his first season which should be a wash with any coach. Evy had a record of 37-8-2 in his last 5 seasons, at 79% winning clip.

Heck, I'll take Evy on his success in the Rose Bowl, National Championship and winning % in 2/3rd the years coaching. Again, I think if he coached as long as Hayden and Kirk, he'd top them.

Fry does make great points about the climate, creating identity and marketing. Iowa is prob one of the best in the country with marketing and traditions, etc..
 
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I think there is a debate, but its a wonderful debate that we get to have as Iowa fans. Iowa has had two coaches during nearly the entirety of my lifetime. Both were amazing men and did incredible things at Iowa. At this moment, I think what Fry did was slightly more remarkable given the state of Iowa football when he took over. He not only built a winner, but he built a culture and an identity. Certainly what KF has done to build upon what Fry did is also remarkable. And, I think we can all agree that Fry held on too long at the end and left quite a rebuild for KF, but again, the foundation was certainly there. To have sustained success for such a long period as KF has done, and in one place in today's modern game. is truly incredible. If you compare raw stats on wins and losses it actually favors KF, but again, I think building something is much harder than sustaining something. Right now I would give the nod to Fry, but KF's story still has a few pages left to write. We should all appreciate how fortunate we have been to have these two great men lead our team for four decades plus now.
 
Fry and North summarized the history to a “T”. Thank you! BTW, didn’t Hayden announce that he would have a 1,000 yard rusher in his first season. I was pheasant hunting near Tama when the hire was announced. Our crew simultaneously said, “Hayden who?”
 
This is a great thread, and I agree that Fry is without parallel, in terms of his vision, leadership, and ability to instill a culture that lasts today, tigerhawk and all.

I do give KF props as well (#2) because maintaining a culture over 20 plus years and continuing to win, given the massive changes to the football landscape in those years, is also something pretty amazing.

I'm more impressed, in some ways, with KF now than I used to be. After Covid, immediate transfers, NIL, Doyle-izing, etc... Iowa won 10 games last year with a very young team, and is recruiting really well. It's pretty amazing to hold that together during those years, IMHO.
 
Fryowa said:
Hayden Fry is so far above the realm of any other coach in Iowa history it isn't even funny. Kirk Ferentz will be the first to agree on that. None of them compare even a little. Not Evy, not Ferentz.

Hayden Fry is responsible for every bit of culture, the Iowa developmental mindset, and making Iowa football what it is today for both fans and players. Listening to LeVar Woods, Kirk Ferentz, and any number of guys who played for him talk about what he did for the program and as players/coaches individually is awe-inspiring. Those guys will tell you that Hayden's the goat and made them into what they've become.

Go walk around in any state in America or just about any country in the "western" world with a Tigerhawk on your clothes and someone will point and say, "Hawkeyes!" Hayden Fry made that happen. Iowa using the Steelers unis because he wanted guys to be winners? Doesn't get more outside the box than that. Hayden Fry got up on the podium in front of all the cameras in Iowa City and told people he was going to make a winning football team and he did. He didn't say he was hoping to, or that he was going to try his best, he said it was going to happen, no questions asked. And he did it.

There's no debating who the greatest coach is. Zero.

The only thing you can do is argue about where to put the rest of them.
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This!
x1000

Hard to argue that Ferentz hasn't equaled Fry in terms of 'success'. Especially if you ignore Ferentz' first few years. With the changes in the NCAA and conferences, it's a bit like apples to oranges. Maybe more accurately "oranges to roses". Heyhoooo! (Dad joke. See what I did there?)

Outside of keeping up with the changes to the game/NCAA/conferences/money etc.? This team is indistinguishable from the program Fry built. And that's sensible. From the actual football standpoint, It's a small state. A school with a solid tradition, but has challenges other top contemporary programs don't. They have to do things different than OSU or Texas or Alabama. Fry figured that out and made it work. It worked then. It works now. The challenges are the same now. Do it the same way. Get the recruits you can. And figure out how to develop the rest.

From the tradition? Like you said...the Tigerhawk. The uniforms. Decals/no decals. ANF. Indistinguishable. I also think it's building a team with a character that reflects the community. "Farmboys strengthened on the farm fields taking it to the football field and playing with a bit of a chip on their shoulder and with respect, dignity, and family/team values. Battling for the honor of their school." I know that's not reality. That's image and perception. But, we know comes of perception.

I think continuing this has clearly caused Kirk some issues in recent years. At least I hope that's truly what it is and is just misunderstanding depending on where you're coming from. There's nothing wrong with misunderstanding. It's allowable and not vile. As long as it's fair and addressed if necessary.

The fact that a ~20 year coach left with good vibes and has been immediately succeeded by a now 24+ year coach who has every chance of retiring with good vibes? (Assuming, as noted, there's only been misunderstandings). In this era? That's beyond astounding. Maybe one of the more astounding sports stories.

That doesn't happen if Ferentz doesn't roll with the Fry Manifesto with only updates as needed.
 
racerhawk said:
I'm more impressed, in some ways, with KF now than I used to be. After Covid, immediate transfers, NIL, Doyle-izing, etc... Iowa won 10 games last year with a very young team, and is recruiting really well. It's pretty amazing to hold that together during those years, IMHO.
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I too, find myself admiring him more with every single passing year. For one, lasting 20+ years as a coach period is crazy. Let alone, AT THE SAME SCHOOL!

Those first years were rough. I was a 'fire Ferentz' guy in some of those early years. Cause I was younger and dumbererest. And couldn't see the forest through the trees. My joy as a Hawk fan rose immediately when I realized how grateful I should be. It really took off after moving back to STL and being surrounded once again by passionate Mizzou fans. All 5 of them.

I do so hope that the 'issues' that have been brought up against him are truly just misunderstandings. Not realizing that really only the Yankees can get away with making Harrison Bader cut his hair and other arguably archaic 'character stuff' in this day and age when everything is given more meaning than it should and often nefarious intent is ascribed when it really doesn't exist. I hope hope hope it's just misunderstanding. On all sides.

Because how cool would it be to have just two coaches over a nearly half century span, both leaving "on good terms"?
 
dagdaj said:
I too, find myself admiring him more with every single passing year. For one, lasting 20+ years as a coach period is crazy. Let alone, AT THE SAME SCHOOL!

Those first years were rough. I was a 'fire Ferentz' guy in some of those early years. Cause I was younger and dumbererest. And couldn't see the forest through the trees. My joy as a Hawk fan rose immediately when I realized how grateful I should be. It really took off after moving back to STL and being surrounded once again by passionate Mizzou fans. All 5 of them.

I do so hope that the 'issues' that have been brought up against him are truly just misunderstandings. Not realizing that really only the Yankees can get away with making Harrison Bader cut his hair and other arguably archaic 'character stuff' in this day and age when everything is given more meaning than it should and often nefarious intent is ascribed when it really doesn't exist. I hope hope hope it's just misunderstanding. On all sides.

Because how cool would it be to have just two coaches over a nearly half century span, both leaving "on good terms"?
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It would be super cool to have these coaches both leave on good terms, and given our "win at all costs, now if not sooner" mentality in our current culture, it would be pretty sweet. That's part of why I love being a hawkeye. We aren't USC, with Lincoln Riley coming in with tons of transfers. We aren't a lot of these teams with coaches that last three years, with constantly pissed fanbases (although our some of our own fans seem to hate their own team).

I would say there's only one program I mildly envy, and that's Wisconsin. They do what we do, just a tad better at times. That's annoying. That's why, if we have a good record, that's always the most important game of the year.
 
racerhawk said:
I would say there's only one program I mildly envy, and that's Wisconsin. They do what we do, just a tad better at times. That's annoying. That's why, if we have a good record, that's always the most important game of the year.
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No doubt, Wisconsin has done it just a little bit better of late (the last 25 or so years). And almost all of that can be attributed to a guy who spent 7 or 8 very formative years working for the guy who originally figured out how to do it at a smaller-ish, midwestern-ish, Big 10 school.
 
dagdaj said:
No doubt, Wisconsin has done it just a little bit better of late (the last 25 or so years). And almost all of that can be attributed to a guy who spent 7 or 8 very formative years working for the guy who originally figured out how to do it at a smaller-ish, midwestern-ish, Big 10 school.
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Good point. The Fry coaching tree is still bearing fruit.
 
HuckFinn said:
Fry and North summarized the history to a “T”. Thank you! BTW, didn’t Hayden announce that he would have a 1,000 yard rusher in his first season. I was pheasant hunting near Tama when the hire was announced. Our crew simultaneously said, “Hayden who?”
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I remember BBQ'ing port ribs at my apartment in Waterloo listening to a local sports radio talk show, and out of my mouth loud I yelled "Who the hell is Kirk Ferentz!".
 
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racerhawk said:
This is a great thread, and I agree that Fry is without parallel, in terms of his vision, leadership, and ability to instill a culture that lasts today, tigerhawk and all.

I do give KF props as well (#2) because maintaining a culture over 20 plus years and continuing to win, given the massive changes to the football landscape in those years, is also something pretty amazing.

I'm more impressed, in some ways, with KF now than I used to be. After Covid, immediate transfers, NIL, Doyle-izing, etc... Iowa won 10 games last year with a very young team, and is recruiting really well. It's pretty amazing to hold that together during those years, IMHO.
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No doubt that Ferentz has gone thru a tone of evolution with the college game. Good point.

I'm not sure some are going to understand the significance that Evy had on the program because was 65 yrs ago. Think about the accomplishments on the national level. Think if Fry or Ferentz would have won the Rose Bowl twice in 5 years and been crowned the National Champion. People really need to stop and think about that.

Fry did build that foundation that we see today. Iowa is not one of those schools who has to change uniforms. Actually, it is classy they stay with their normal uni's as it is the brand and is recognizable. It is part of knowing who you are. That is more impressive when you think about it than teams changing unis all the time to be noticed.
 
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dagdaj said:
I too, find myself admiring him more with every single passing year. For one, lasting 20+ years as a coach period is crazy. Let alone, AT THE SAME SCHOOL!

Those first years were rough. I was a 'fire Ferentz' guy in some of those early years. Cause I was younger and dumbererest. And couldn't see the forest through the trees. My joy as a Hawk fan rose immediately when I realized how grateful I should be. It really took off after moving back to STL and being surrounded once again by passionate Mizzou fans. All 5 of them.

I do so hope that the 'issues' that have been brought up against him are truly just misunderstandings. Not realizing that really only the Yankees can get away with making Harrison Bader cut his hair and other arguably archaic 'character stuff' in this day and age when everything is given more meaning than it should and often nefarious intent is ascribed when it really doesn't exist. I hope hope hope it's just misunderstanding. On all sides.

Because how cool would it be to have just two coaches over a nearly half century span, both leaving "on good terms"?
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I was never this because the team improved each and every year right up to the Orange Bowl game. He built it from the foundation up and built it correctly and finally developed depth. They kept improving.
 
dagdaj said:
I too, find myself admiring him more with every single passing year. For one, lasting 20+ years as a coach period is crazy. Let alone, AT THE SAME SCHOOL!

Those first years were rough. I was a 'fire Ferentz' guy in some of those early years. Cause I was younger and dumbererest. And couldn't see the forest through the trees. My joy as a Hawk fan rose immediately when I realized how grateful I should be. It really took off after moving back to STL and being surrounded once again by passionate Mizzou fans. All 5 of them.

I do so hope that the 'issues' that have been brought up against him are truly just misunderstandings. Not realizing that really only the Yankees can get away with making Harrison Bader cut his hair and other arguably archaic 'character stuff' in this day and age when everything is given more meaning than it should and often nefarious intent is ascribed when it really doesn't exist. I hope hope hope it's just misunderstanding. On all sides.

Because how cool would it be to have just two coaches over a nearly half century span, both leaving "on good terms"?
Click to expand...

Dude, you should become a writer. Good stuff!
 
dagdaj said:
No doubt, Wisconsin has done it just a little bit better of late (the last 25 or so years). And almost all of that can be attributed to a guy who spent 7 or 8 very formative years working for the guy who originally figured out how to do it at a smaller-ish, midwestern-ish, Big 10 school.
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Talk about two teams who know who they are and play with an identity. Wisconsin is one of those rare teams that is a rival that I respect. Prob the game I enjoy the most every year.
 
Hayden will always be in front of Kirk in my mind. Without Hayden, there is no Kirk. It is far more difficult to change the the culture of a program, than it is to replenish the cupboards. Kirk's job wasn't easy when he took over, but the infrastructure was there for him to have success and that is ALL DUE TO HAYDEN.

I can be Debby Downer sometimes, but I really do appreciate what those 2 coaches have given the Iowa program the last 44 years...it has made being a fan really, really fun.
 
trj said:
I can be Debby Downer sometimes, but I really do appreciate what those 2 coaches have given the Iowa program the last 44 years...it has made being a fan really, really fun.
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Hard to claim fandom and not get grumpy every now and then.
Only way to avoid it is to be delusional.
Gotta poke some fingers in some chests, write some sternly worded messageboard posts, and hold 'em accountable every now and then.
 
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