Ranking Iowa Football Coaches over past 60 years

[HawkGold]

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

Fry lost assistants. He had things on track. The 02 foundation was built by Fry and had highly ranked classes of 97 and 98. If Ferents quit in 15 due to health would u say the same thing?

 

[HawkGold]

Fry and he left to early.
Evy...just wasn't that easy
KF

Most under rated. Bob C. Left a foundation for Fry.

 

[HawkGold]

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!".

I did about the same. Didn't like the contract drama.

 

[SmokeTownHawk]

For turning around the program and creating a tradition of winning again at Iowa, it's Fry hands down as number one. But I remember his last game @ Minny, where it seemed like the players just quit on him. Although I know that being thin-skinned to criticism is a common trait among coaches, you can thank Fry for having reporters tap-dance around asking the tough questions in interviews and press conferences. No one wants to be like Ron Gonder and kicked off the air. If you're going to have a job with public visibility you damn well better be able to handle the scrutiny. Having said all that he was a giant among coaches.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Fry lost assistants. He had things on track. The 02 foundation was built by Fry and had highly ranked classes of 97 and 98. If Ferents quit in 15 due to health would u say the same thing?

Not sure if I would go here. One of the gripes during Fry's later years is people thought the recruiting had tailed off and KF kind of had a project when he took the keys, because of the talent he had.

 

[HawkGold]

Not sure if I would go here. One of the gripes during Fry's later years is people thought the recruiting had tailed off and KF kind of had a project when he took the keys, because of the talent he had.

You should. Can't find much on 1997, but it was good. From the Tribune 1998. Not all panned out, but that is any team. 1996 was terrible. 1997/8 were better than KFs in ranking unit 2001. KF has in recent history has had years as low as 1996 nationally.

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FOOTBALL RECRUITS' FIELD OF DREAMS? IT'S IOWA​

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