The Athletic's B1G Recruiting Confidential

[MelroseHawkins]

He's not just really damn good at his job(s) from over the years. But everyone universally likes and respects him. Meaning he'd easily be able to hire a really good staff of guys around him when he does eventually get to be an HC. It really really sucks these last 5 yrs or so that Iowa's been trying to groom BF for the job he can't have instead. If we miss this boat on Woods we'll regret it.

I agree. He'd be able to hire a good staff as well as be able to recruit some of the best players. Win Win people. So much of the job is now is not just recruiting but retaining good players and managing the portal to seek out holes to fill with quality players. He might just be able to do that real well.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

We don't have much evidence that he would be an effective OC, but more importantly, I don't think there is any compelling reason to go that route. If you think he has great leadership/executive abilities, then have the guts to put him in that leadership/executive role without the necessity of "proving himself" as an OC or DC first. KF was never a coordinator, and he has been a great executive for a couple decades.

You throw Woods into an OC role that he is not prepared for (didn't play offense, never called plays, has only coached one position on that side of the ball), there is a good chance he struggles, and fanbases love to hate the OC even in the best of times. You think you are going to be able to sell that as the next HC? Just name him Associate HC right now, train him up on the logistics of the role, and aim for a 2025 transition.

Spot on.

 

[HuckFinn]

Iowa often shifts its out-of-region recruiting based on assistants.

With Hodge and Betts having connections in Florida, it makes sense to have them there. When Iowa had Davis and Kennedy, made sense to be in Texas. Foster helped in the South when he was here. KOK was connected in New England and Penn. Chris White helped in NJ. Polasek has a Wisconsin background. Woods has built up bonds in Western Iowa, Nebraska, STL, TX and KC. Parker does well in Michigan and Ohio. Bell has ties in Indy. Niemann has had mixed results taking the lead in state from Morgan. Iowa got knocked around a bit in the '23 class but has bounced back in '24.

BF really doesn't recruit much comparatively. He's got part of Chicago/Illinois with Wallace. I think KF prefers not to have his OC and DC recruit a lot. BF does handle QB recruiting as did KOK and GD. I think both of BF's predecessors were more involved in recruiting, however.

The Hawkeyes lean a lot on relationships grown over time in recruiting.

Good analysis.

 

[dahlhawk]

He's not just really damn good at his job(s) from over the years. But everyone universally likes and respects him. Meaning he'd easily be able to hire a really good staff of guys around him when he does eventually get to be an HC. It really really sucks these last 5 yrs or so that Iowa's been trying to groom BF for the job he can't have instead. If we miss this boat on Woods we'll regret it.

Never truer words have been spoken. What sucks, is he has been here all along. He was an easy choice after the racism allegations to right the ship, instead it was Brian. Plus, Brian needed to be seasoned, all the while Woods has been setting a mark of excellence along with Phil. This has to sting to anyone with pride to see a co-worker put on the fast-track while your displaying outstanding production while they produce mediocrety. That "Moore Award" for best offensive line must have been bought as well, at best that was a very average line with a couple of great players. Throw that out and under Brian we have seen underperformance is his standard. Just saying....

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Never truer words have been spoken. What sucks, is he has been here all along. He was an easy choice after the racism allegations to right the ship, instead it was Brian. Plus, Brian needed to be seasoned, all the while Woods has been setting a mark of excellence along with Phil. This has to sting to anyone with pride to see a co-worker put on the fast-track while your displaying outstanding production while they produce mediocrety. That "Moore Award" for best offensive line must have been bought as well, at best that was a very average line with a couple of great players. Throw that out and under Brian we have seen underperformance is his standard. Just saying....

All the more why I'm kinda surprised Woods hasn't had one eye on leaving. Dude is damn near loyal to a fault. That said he's not an offensive guy so maybe he's been biding his time for Parkers job but who's to say how long he'll stay. My guess on Parker has always been he'll hang it up whenever Kirk does but who knows. The questions about however the overall transition goes from when KF hangs it up will be fascinating.

 

[BILLYBOBSTEXAS]

Barta is leaving, change is in the wind. Waiting...................