When Will Iowa Journalists Call Out OC/HC For Poor Offensive Play Calling?

[RobHowe]

I get the sentiment in your post but I have an honest, non sarcastic question for you strictly because I'm curious. Also, I've become slightly more "meh" and less neurotic regarding Iowa football lately so there's no frustration in my asking it.

Two questions actually...

I think it's a fair statement to say that the media is rougher on coaches during down times when dealing with much bigger programs such as LSU and Texas, etc.

1. Do you think this is because the market and media outlets are so much bigger with those types of schools so reporters don't fear getting push back from the staff?

2. What do you think would happen to the local media's relationship with Kirk and his staff if people started asking the loaded, abrasive questions that you sometimes hear in those bigger programs and markets? Would Kirk vent his frustration, withdraw access, or none of the above?

The idea that tough questions aren't asked by the Iowa media is false. They not may not be asked with the fire and brimstone some fans would like them to be asked, but they're asked. We can't make Kirk and the players answer the way we want. Almost every question we asked on Saturday was met with "we need to execute better." Watch the Wadley interview I posted. Heck, watch all the interviews I posted.

Kirk isn't going to throw players under the bus. Players aren't going to throw each other or coaches under the bus. When that happens, the house comes crashing down. That's why they stay on message.

This is my 21st season covering Iowa athletics. I went to journalism school and worked in newspapers before coming to HN. I can tell you that there's not a fiber of my being that's scared to ask a question based on losing my credentials. I can't speak for guys like Morehouse, Dochterman, Leistikow, Emmert, etc. but I would be shocked if they were fearful of losing their passes. That's not how we operate.

There's a way to go about asking questions in a respectful manner. It's part of this job. That doesn't mean the questions aren't being asked. I don't work in other markets so I don't know how things are handled in those places.

Really, when you think about it, the "the media doesn't ask tough questions" narrative has been around for years. It comes up consistently and will continue. I think it's tired but I get it. Fans are frustrated and looking to blame folks. That doesn't mean I won't fire back when provoked.

The good thing if fans are angry enough, they can call the coach's show on Wednesday night and fire away on him.

 

[HawkGold]

I got on HawkeyeNation and a World History class broke out!!

I didn't say over but that's pretty darn funny....Over?

 

[Fryowa]

The idea that tough questions aren't asked by the Iowa media is false. They not may not be asked with the fire and brimstone some fans would like them to be asked, but they're asked. We can't make Kirk and the players answer the way we want. Almost every question we asked on Saturday was met with "we need to execute better." Watch the Wadley interview I posted. Heck, watch all the interviews I posted.

Kirk isn't going to throw players under the bus. Players aren't going to throw each other or coaches under the bus. When that happens, the house comes crashing down. That's why they stay on message.

This is my 21st season covering Iowa athletics. I went to journalism school and worked in newspapers before coming to HN. I can tell you that there's not a fiber of my being that's scared to ask a question based on losing my credentials. I can't speak for guys like Morehouse, Dochterman, Leistikow, Emmert, etc. but I would be shocked if they were fearful of losing their passes. That's not how we operate.

There's a way to go about asking questions in a respectful manner. It's part of this job. That doesn't mean the questions aren't being asked. I don't work in other markets so I don't know how things are handled in those places.

Really, when you think about it, the "the media doesn't ask tough questions" narrative has been around for years. It comes up consistently and will continue. I think it's tired but I get it. Fans are frustrated and looking to blame folks. That doesn't mean I won't fire back when provoked.

The good thing if fans are angry enough, they can call the coach's show on Wednesday night and fire away on him.

I wasn't of the camp saying tough questions aren't asked so I hope you didn't take it that way, but rather mentioning that when you see larger, more successful programs struggle it seems that you see the media get pretty abrasive whereas I don't see that with Iowa when I watch pressers and interviews. Not pointing fingers, it's just an observation. I mentioned Texas and LSU because I've watched some post game stuff and press conferences and heard some pretty harsh and loaded questions that bordered on commentary and raised a lot of hackles of the coaches. I also admit Iowa is the only program I follow closely. I'm sure it's the same way with a lot of schools.

 

[tweeterhawk]

So much for Brian being the only coach able to change Kirk....

Used to know several of the sports writers personally. All Chinamen, some more than others. Afraid to call out Kirk or any of the staff or players for fear of losing their precious press credentials and access. That’s just not done in little ol Ioway.

 

[SheagleHawk]

I don't know who it was that asked about the lack of run game production but hats off to him. Ferentz tried to bullshit him and he followed it up by pointing out how bad it has been all year.

Yeah Kirk came off as an ass in the post game. Sure doesn't like having to answer for his shit performances. Wish someone would make him answer the question that was asked instead of side stepping, going on a tangent and then coming back with some weak ass general bs answer. Call out your coordinators or say you sucked as a coach, and let your team down. Stop blaming players for "not executing" your horse shit game plans.

 

[Fryowa]

Used to know several of the sports writers personally. All Chinamen, some more than others. Afraid to call out Kirk or any of the staff or players for fear of losing their precious press credentials and access. That’s just not done in little ol Ioway.

If you're going to do that then you have to drop some names or GTFO. You're taking the chicken shit way out because if you named the ones you're talking about they'd probably call you out in return and respond. Fair is fair.

I'll wait, but I doubt you'll do it. Tell us who it is you know.

 

[tweeterhawk]

If you're going to do that then you have to drop some names or GTFO. You're taking the chicken shit way out because if you named the ones you're talking about they'd probably call you out in return and respond. Fair is fair.

I'll wait, but I doubt you'll do it. Tell us who it is you know.

You come across as one of them.

 

[RobHowe]

I wasn't of the camp saying tough questions aren't asked so I hope you didn't take it that way, but rather mentioning that when you see larger, more successful programs struggle it seems that you see the media get pretty abrasive whereas I don't see that with Iowa when I watch pressers and interviews. Not pointing fingers, it's just an observation. I mentioned Texas and LSU because I've watched some post game stuff and press conferences and heard some pretty harsh and loaded questions that bordered on commentary and raised a lot of hackles of the coaches. I also admit Iowa is the only program I follow closely. I'm sure it's the same way with a lot of schools.

Nope. Didn't think you were saying tough questions weren't asked. I just figured I'd address that as it was why theme of the thread.

I've had some bumps with KF over the years as have others. We've been at this for 19 years with him so it was bound to happen.

I don't think it helps to ask questions in an abrasive way. You might get a soundbite that makes headlines but you're not going to get the answer you're after. I think the right questions are asked in the right way here without sensationalism.

 

[SpiderRico]

Yeah Kirk came off as an ass in the post game. Sure doesn't like having to answer for his shit performances. Wish someone would make him answer the question that was asked instead of side stepping, going on a tangent and then coming back with some weak ass general bs answer. Call out your coordinators or say you sucked as a coach, and let your team down. Stop blaming players for "not executing" your horse shit game plans.

KF is on record as saying that the "execution" comments he makes are directed as much at coaches as they are at players....

 

[westender]

I get what you're saying, but our QB is so in over his head it's unbelievable. I don't want to defend the staff totally, but the truth is we just plain suck right now and there aren't a lot of other options that don't involve Stanley throwing. He played ok non-con with Fant and Easley, but this is the big time now and B1G football ain't no joke.

Bringing 8 guys like that;even outside the tackles Wadley doesn't have time or room.

Stanley is seriously bad right now. I'm not giving up on the kid but he just doesn't have the experience and you can tell he's totally shitting his pants when he's out there.The polar opposite of CJ Beathard. This MSU game and the ridiculous fumble/INT/whatever sure didn't help matters either. He may seem ok in TV Interviews, but he's not ok on the field.

You are delusional!!! If only Stanley blocked and caught the ball!!! GREAT YOUNG QB !!!

 

[westender]

Mensa member.

Almost everyone picked Iowa at 7-5 or 8-4 and now that we are somewhat on that track the sky is falling. If hooker tips the ball and Stanley and Smith don't fumble we would be 3-1 for sure and maybe 4-0. Insanity!

 

[westender]

I don't see that with Stanley AT ALL. He faced the blitz constantly Saturday, moved in the pocket, extended plays - hard to believe he's a sophomore making his 2nd road start IMO. The deep throws IMO will come with reps and as he learns to master the offense and gets more in sync with his WR's (who besides MVB will all be back next year) . He gets the ball out fast... makes good decisions and seems well beyond his years. His fumble was very costly though. He's one of the few bright spots that has me excited about the future

Agree 100% with this post. Kid is money.

 

[hawkfan2679]

Wadley's 35 yard touchdown run on 1st down vs Penn State was a handoff out of shotgun and off-tackle instead of straight up the gut with the QB under center.

In that same vein...

If memory serves, the TD run against MSU was a simple trap play out of a trips set. I think it was 12 personnel and started out as a more condensed formation, but opened up with a TE (Fant?) motioning to trips.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

Which is still on the coaches IMO..... just don't see the need to ask this question when it was blatantly obvious what lost this game for Iowa.

Do we all understand trying to block 8 with 6 and whether that gives you an advantage or not? Then, how much more of an advantage do we have when the opponent knows when we're going to do something? Yeah, we missed some blocks. Yeah, we dropped a couple of passes. Yeah, we missed a couple of throws. But, yeah, we called an obvious game and did not make the defense have to guess, at all, what we were going to do.

We understand this, right?

 

[ArvadaHawk]

What's wrong with the schemes if Iowa holds on to ball while deep into MSU's territory?

whats wrong with schemes and play calling when we average negative yardage per rush (25/19).

 

[ArvadaHawk]

The Media: First, read Mike Hlas' column on the MSU game. If that is not critical enough, you can't read. And, as another poster rightly pointed out, a bunch of negatives from the press achieves nothing. Get over it.

just another game in Iowa land.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

The idea that tough questions aren't asked by the Iowa media is false. They not may not be asked with the fire and brimstone some fans would like them to be asked, but they're asked. We can't make Kirk and the players answer the way we want. Almost every question we asked on Saturday was met with "we need to execute better." Watch the Wadley interview I posted. Heck, watch all the interviews I posted.

Kirk isn't going to throw players under the bus. Players aren't going to throw each other or coaches under the bus. When that happens, the house comes crashing down. That's why they stay on message.

This is my 21st season covering Iowa athletics. I went to journalism school and worked in newspapers before coming to HN. I can tell you that there's not a fiber of my being that's scared to ask a question based on losing my credentials. I can't speak for guys like Morehouse, Dochterman, Leistikow, Emmert, etc. but I would be shocked if they were fearful of losing their passes. That's not how we operate.

There's a way to go about asking questions in a respectful manner. It's part of this job. That doesn't mean the questions aren't being asked. I don't work in other markets so I don't know how things are handled in those places.

Really, when you think about it, the "the media doesn't ask tough questions" narrative has been around for years. It comes up consistently and will continue. I think it's tired but I get it. Fans are frustrated and looking to blame folks. That doesn't mean I won't fire back when provoked.

The good thing if fans are angry enough, they can call the coach's show on Wednesday night and fire away on him.

Rob, is anyone asking about personnel groupings? Is anyone asking (however it may be phrased) if being predictable and relying on perfect execution to succeed is the best course? Is anyone asking if we're game planning on offense and defense so that our core intention is to always take advantage of our opponents weaknesses?

I honestly haven't listened to one post game (or any other) interview in years because it sounds like kirk just presses play on his recorder to answer questions.

 

[Fryowa]

You come across as one of them.

I guarantee you I'm not smart enough to have what I write be published.

So, are you going to nut up or shut up?

 

[OkstHawk]

The play calling didn't seem to be the issue to me. Players blocking, catching, throwing and holding on to the ball did however.

Blame the players first...I like your style

 

[RobHowe]

Rob, is anyone asking about personnel groupings? Is anyone asking (however it may be phrased) if being predictable and relying on perfect execution to succeed is the best course? Is anyone asking if we're game planning on offense and defense so that our core intention is to always take advantage of our opponents weaknesses?

I honestly haven't listened to one post game (or any other) interview in years because it sounds like kirk just presses play on his recorder to answer questions.

Yes. If you think about it, these are all questions that have been around for years. They were asked in various ways Saturday. We were told they need to execute better and clean things up in practice.